{\rtf1\adeflang1025\ansi\ansicpg1252\uc1\adeff0\deff0\stshfdbch0\stshfloch0\stshfhich0\stshfbi0\deflang2057\deflangfe2057\themelang2057\themelangfe0\themelangcs0{\fonttbl{\f0\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f1\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial{\*\falt Arial};}{\f3\fbidi \froman\fcharset2\fprq2{\*\panose 05050102010706020507}Symbol;}
{\f11\fbidi \froman\fcharset128\fprq1{\*\panose 02020609040205080304}MS Mincho{\*\falt MS ??};}{\f34\fbidi \froman\fcharset1\fprq2{\*\panose 02040503050406030204}Cambria Math;}
{\f35\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset128\fprq2{\*\panose 020b0604020202020204}Arial Unicode MS{\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f41\fbidi \fmodern\fcharset128\fprq1{\*\panose 02020609040205080304}@MS Mincho;}
{\f42\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset128\fprq2{\*\panose 00000000000000000000}@Arial Unicode MS;}{\flomajor\f31500\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbmajor\f31501\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fhimajor\f31502\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020f0302020204030204}Calibri Light;}
{\fbimajor\f31503\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flominor\f31504\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbminor\f31505\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fhiminor\f31506\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 020f0502020204030204}Calibri;}
{\fbiminor\f31507\fbidi \froman\fcharset0\fprq2{\*\panose 02020603050405020304}Times New Roman{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f55\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f56\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f58\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f59\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f60\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f61\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\f62\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f63\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\f65\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial CE{\*\falt Arial};}
{\f66\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Cyr{\*\falt Arial};}{\f68\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Greek{\*\falt Arial};}{\f69\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Tur{\*\falt Arial};}
{\f70\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial (Hebrew){\*\falt Arial};}{\f71\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial (Arabic){\*\falt Arial};}{\f72\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Baltic{\*\falt Arial};}
{\f73\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial (Vietnamese){\*\falt Arial};}{\f407\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS Western{\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f405\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS CE{\*\falt Tahoma};}
{\f406\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS Cyr{\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f408\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS Greek{\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f409\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS Tur{\*\falt Tahoma};}
{\f410\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS (Hebrew){\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f411\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS (Arabic){\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f412\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS Baltic{\*\falt Tahoma};}
{\f413\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS (Vietnamese){\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f414\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset222\fprq2 Arial Unicode MS (Thai){\*\falt Tahoma};}{\f477\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset0\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS Western;}
{\f475\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS CE;}{\f476\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS Cyr;}{\f478\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS Greek;}{\f479\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS Tur;}
{\f480\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS (Hebrew);}{\f481\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS (Arabic);}{\f482\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS Baltic;}
{\f483\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS (Vietnamese);}{\f484\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset222\fprq2 @Arial Unicode MS (Thai);}{\flomajor\f31508\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flomajor\f31509\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flomajor\f31511\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flomajor\f31512\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flomajor\f31513\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flomajor\f31514\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flomajor\f31515\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flomajor\f31516\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbmajor\f31518\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbmajor\f31519\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbmajor\f31521\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbmajor\f31522\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbmajor\f31523\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbmajor\f31524\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbmajor\f31525\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbmajor\f31526\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fhimajor\f31528\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Calibri Light CE;}{\fhimajor\f31529\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Calibri Light Cyr;}
{\fhimajor\f31531\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Calibri Light Greek;}{\fhimajor\f31532\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Calibri Light Tur;}{\fhimajor\f31533\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Calibri Light (Hebrew);}
{\fhimajor\f31534\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Calibri Light (Arabic);}{\fhimajor\f31535\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Calibri Light Baltic;}{\fhimajor\f31536\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Calibri Light (Vietnamese);}
{\fbimajor\f31538\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbimajor\f31539\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbimajor\f31541\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbimajor\f31542\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbimajor\f31543\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbimajor\f31544\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbimajor\f31545\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbimajor\f31546\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flominor\f31548\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flominor\f31549\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flominor\f31551\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flominor\f31552\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flominor\f31553\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flominor\f31554\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\flominor\f31555\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\flominor\f31556\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbminor\f31558\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbminor\f31559\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbminor\f31561\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbminor\f31562\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbminor\f31563\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbminor\f31564\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fdbminor\f31565\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fdbminor\f31566\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fhiminor\f31568\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset238\fprq2 Calibri CE;}{\fhiminor\f31569\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset204\fprq2 Calibri Cyr;}{\fhiminor\f31571\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset161\fprq2 Calibri Greek;}{\fhiminor\f31572\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset162\fprq2 Calibri Tur;}
{\fhiminor\f31573\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset177\fprq2 Calibri (Hebrew);}{\fhiminor\f31574\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset178\fprq2 Calibri (Arabic);}{\fhiminor\f31575\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset186\fprq2 Calibri Baltic;}
{\fhiminor\f31576\fbidi \fswiss\fcharset163\fprq2 Calibri (Vietnamese);}{\fbiminor\f31578\fbidi \froman\fcharset238\fprq2 Times New Roman CE{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbiminor\f31579\fbidi \froman\fcharset204\fprq2 Times New Roman Cyr{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbiminor\f31581\fbidi \froman\fcharset161\fprq2 Times New Roman Greek{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbiminor\f31582\fbidi \froman\fcharset162\fprq2 Times New Roman Tur{\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbiminor\f31583\fbidi \froman\fcharset177\fprq2 Times New Roman (Hebrew){\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbiminor\f31584\fbidi \froman\fcharset178\fprq2 Times New Roman (Arabic){\*\falt Times New Roman};}{\fbiminor\f31585\fbidi \froman\fcharset186\fprq2 Times New Roman Baltic{\*\falt Times New Roman};}
{\fbiminor\f31586\fbidi \froman\fcharset163\fprq2 Times New Roman (Vietnamese){\*\falt Times New Roman};}}{\colortbl;\red0\green0\blue0;\red0\green0\blue255;\red0\green255\blue255;\red0\green255\blue0;\red255\green0\blue255;\red255\green0\blue0;
\red255\green255\blue0;\red255\green255\blue255;\red0\green0\blue128;\red0\green128\blue128;\red0\green128\blue0;\red128\green0\blue128;\red128\green0\blue0;\red128\green128\blue0;\red128\green128\blue128;\red192\green192\blue192;}{\*\defchp \fs22 }
{\*\defpap \ql \li0\ri0\sa160\sl259\slmult1\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 }\noqfpromote {\stylesheet{\ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1
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\fs20\ul\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \slink19 \sqformat heading 5;}{\s6\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel5\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af0\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \slink20 \sqformat heading 6;}{
\s7\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\widctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel6\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af0\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 \sbasedon0 \snext0 \slink21 \sqformat
heading 7;}{\*\cs10 \additive \ssemihidden \styrsid14116588 Default Paragraph Font;}{\*
\ts11\tsrowd\trftsWidthB3\trpaddl108\trpaddr108\trpaddfl3\trpaddft3\trpaddfb3\trpaddfr3\trcbpat1\trcfpat1\tblind0\tblindtype3\tsvertalt\tsbrdrt\tsbrdrl\tsbrdrb\tsbrdrr\tsbrdrdgl\tsbrdrdgr\tsbrdrh\tsbrdrv \ql \li0\ri0\sa160\sl259\slmult1
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\b\fs28\lang0\langfe1033\loch\f31506\hich\af31506\dbch\af31505\langfenp1033 \sbasedon10 \slink4 \slocked \ssemihidden \spriority9 Heading 4 Char;}{\*\cs19 \additive \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\ai\af31507\afs26 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\i\fs26\lang0\langfe1033\loch\f31506\hich\af31506\dbch\af31505\langfenp1033 \sbasedon10 \slink5 \slocked \ssemihidden \spriority9 Heading 5 Char;}{\*\cs20 \additive \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af31507 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\lang0\langfe1033\loch\f31506\hich\af31506\dbch\af31505\langfenp1033 \sbasedon10 \slink6 \slocked \ssemihidden \spriority9 Heading 6 Char;}{\*\cs21 \additive \rtlch\fcs1 \af31507\afs24 \ltrch\fcs0
\fs24\lang0\langfe1033\loch\f31506\hich\af31506\dbch\af31505\langfenp1033 \sbasedon10 \slink7 \slocked \ssemihidden \spriority9 Heading 7 Char;}{\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0
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{\author Marie Wetherill and Keith Simons}{\doccomm source = May 2006 including amendments to commentary by Keith. Minor revision by Mike Baker.}{\operator John Williams}{\creatim\yr2009\mo11\dy24\hr22\min37}{\revtim\yr2018\mo11\dy15\hr11\min18}
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It all begins with God
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\insrsid16530303 Marie Wetherill and Keith Simons
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This commentary }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 has been}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 through Advanced Checking.
\par Words in boxes are from the Bible.
\par A word list at the end explains words with a *star by them.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 About the Book of Genesis
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We do not know who wrote the Book of Genesis. And we do not know when that person wrote the book. There is an ancient tradition that Moses was the author. Modern Bible students have many other
ideas. But we can see that Genesis is a very old book. Even the oldest books in the Bible refer to it (for example, Exodus 3:15; Job 28:25-29).
\par The author was not merely collecting ancient stories. And he was not merely recording ancient history. In fact,
Genesis is a very careful account, which teaches the main principles in the Bible. The author describes the nature of God. The author explains God\rquote s plan for a perfect world. The author describes *sin and *sacrifice. He speaks about God\rquote
s promise to forgive. And, he speaks about God\rquote s promise to send Jesus. The Bible teaches that the author was not merely setting out his own ideas. Instead, the author wrote by the Holy Spirit of God.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 1
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In the beginning, God created the skies and the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The earth had no shape and it was empty. Everything was dark, and God\rquote
s Spirit moved gently over the waters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote Let there be light.\rquote And then there was light. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God saw that the light was good. God separated light from darkness. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He named the light \lquote day\rquote
and he named the darkness \lquote night\rquote . There was evening and there was morning. That was the first day.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote Let there be a *dome to divide the waters into two parts.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So then there was water above the *dome and there was water underneath it. It was exactly as God said. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God called the *dome \lquote the sky\rquote . And there was evening and there was morning. That was the second day.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote Let the waters underneath the sky come together into one place. Let dry land appear.\rquote And it was so. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God called the dry land \lquote earth\rquote . And he called the waters that came together \lquote seas\rquote . And God saw that all those things were good. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote Let grass grow on the earth. Let plants grow there that have grain and seeds. And let t
rees grow there. They will be trees with fruits that have seeds. So then more grass and plants and trees will grow. Each one will be the same kind as the first one that it came from.\rquote And it was so. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Grass grew on the earth. Plants grew there that had g
rain and seeds. And trees grew there. They had fruits with seeds in them. Then more grass, plants and trees would grow like the first ones. And God saw that all those things were good. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And there was evening and there was morning. That was the third day.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote
Let there be lights in the sky in order to separate day from night. They will show clearly the seasons in the year. And they will show clearly when there must be special meetings. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And let them be lights in the *dome that is called the sky. They will be there to give light to earth.\rquote And it was so. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 And God made two great lights. The larger light ruled the day, and the smaller light ruled the night. God made the stars too. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God put them in the sky in order to give light to the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
He put them there to rule over the day and night. He put them there to separate light from darkness. God saw that all those things were good. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And there was evening and there was morning. That was the fourth day.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote Let very big groups of *creatures live everywhere in the waters. And let birds fly in the sky above the earth.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So God created large *creatures that live in the sea. And he created all the different *creatures that move everywhere in the seas. He also created al
l the birds that fly in the sky. God saw that all those things were good. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God *blessed them. And he said, \lquote
Have big families and grow in number. So then you will live everywhere in the seas. And you will fly everywhere in the skies.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There was even
ing and there was morning. That was the fifth day.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote
Let every kind of *creature grow upon the earth. That is, every kind that lives. That includes *cattle. It includes *creatures that crawl. And it includes all kinds of wild animals.\rquote And it was so. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God made all kinds of wild animals on the earth. He made all kinds of *cattle. And he made all kinds of *creatures that crawl. And God saw that all those things were good.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said, \lquote Let us make people as an image that is like ours
elves. Let people rule over the fish that are in the sea. Let them rule over the birds that fly in the air. Let them rule over the *cattle and wild animals on the earth. And let them rule over the *creatures that crawl.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So God created people so that they were like himself. He created people as his image. He created them as man and woman.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God *blessed the people. And he said, \lquote
Have a large family and produce many *descendants. Live everywhere on the earth and rule over it. Rule over the fish that are in the sea. Rule over the birds that fly in the air. And rule over all *creatures that live on the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said, \lquote Look! I have given to you every plant that has seeds. And I have given to you every tree that has seeds in its fruit. They are your
food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I have given all the green plants as food for the earth\rquote
s animals. They are also for the birds that fly in the air. And they are for every *creature that lives on the earth.\rquote And it was so.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God saw everything that he had made. And it was really very good. There was evening and there was morning. That was the sixth day.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 1 describes how God created a perfect world. Everything that God made was perfect. God examined his own work. And he saw that it was good.
\par God made things that are both beautiful and complex. The body of an animal or man has a very complex structure. Even today, people cannot make machines that are so complex as an animal\rquote s body.
\par But God did not merely make these things from nothing. He caused them to live. This is very wonderful.
\par God did not work by accident or chance. He had complete control over everything. We can see this because of his control over time. God created the sun so that it would appear at the right time each day. He created the seasons of the year. He arra
nged the movements of the moon and stars in the sky at night. These things do not happen by chance. They all happen at the right time because this is God\rquote s plan.
\par God still has a perfect time for things to happen. Jesus was born at the right time (Matthew 1
:17; Galatians 4:4). And Jesus will return at the right time (Matthew 24:36). God, our Father, has decided these things. And he still has a perfect plan (Ephesians 1:9-12).
\par God is perfect. God did not create the world so that there would be wars, cruelty or evil behaviour. He wanted men and women to be his friends. So, he gave them a perfect world. And he provided plants as their food. God was generous and kind. And God
\rquote s attitudes have never changed (Hebrews 13:8). But, as we shall see in chapter 3, men and women were not loyal to God. This is the reason for the troubles in this world. God never wanted people to suffer.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 \lquote In the beginning\rquote . The *Hebrew word for \lquote beginning\rquote here is also the *Hebrew title of this book. The usual English title, Genesis, is from a Greek word for \lquote beginning\rquote
. (Greek is the language that the people in Greece speak. And the New Testament writers wrote in Greek.)
\par \lquote God\rquote . God has always existed. And he will exist always. There has never been a time }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 before}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God. And there will never be a time }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 after}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God. The *Hebrew word here for God is \lquote Elohim\rquote , which is plural. But the *Hebrew word for \lquote created\rquote
means that only one person did it. This is because there is one God. The Bible says that he is God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. So Christians sometimes call him \lquote the Trinity\rquote \endash in other words, \lquote
three in one\rquote . God plans things and he speaks. But he is not an ordinary person like us. He is the only real God. This entire book called Genesis is about God. (Look at John 1:1-10.)
\par God \lquote created\rquote . The *Hebrew word here for \lquote create\rquote means to make something from nothing. Only God makes something from nothing. The writer uses that word in verse 1, and he uses it in verses 21 and 27 also.
\par \lquote The skies and the earth\rquote . That means everything. The writer reminds us about it in Genesis 2:1, 4.
\par Verse 2 The earth had \lquote no shape\rquote and it was \lquote empty\rquote . Until God works, there is only confusion. There is no plan and so there is no system.
\par \lquote Everything was dark\rquote . This is like a description or picture for us. It shows what it is like to live without God.
\par God\rquote s Spirit \lquote moved gently\rquote over the waters. Some birds can hover. It means that they are staying in the same place in the air. But still they are moving their wings. God\rquote s Spiri
t also did this, like a bird that is looking after its young birds. That was because God cares about his *creation. And so he wants to protect it.
\par \lquote The waters\rquote . We are not sure what that means. It might also mean dark gases. It might mean a \lquote cloud that consists of darkness\rquote . Or it might mean darkness and waters. The older English texts say \lquote the face of the deep
\rquote , which means the surface of the sea.
\par Verse 3 \lquote God said\rquote . The words that God speaks are powerful. So when God ordered something to happen, that thing happened immediately.
\par Let there be \lquote light\rquote . We need light in order to live. And when we have light, we can see. We can see what God creates. Light is also like a description or picture for us. It shows what real life with God is like. And it shows what God
\rquote s *blessing is like. Also, what it is like when someone is good and holy. God made the light in order to show us his character. Darkness is also like a description or picture. It shows what *sin and death are like.
\par Verse 4 \lquote Good\rquote . Everything that God does is good. That includes every part of his work. It does not only mean the complete work.
\par Verse 5 \lquote The first day\rquote . We do not know how long a day was. The *Jews\rquote day started at sunset. And the first day consisted of evening and morning. So probably it was like our day. But in the Bible, the word \lquote day\rquote
can also mean something special that happens. It means that in the phrase: \lquote the day of the *Lord\rquote . It also means that in the phrase: \lquote the day of judgement\rquote . (Judgement means when God will punish people for their *sin.)
\par He \lquote named\rquote the light. When a person gave a name to something, that action often had this special meaning. It meant that the person ruled over that thing.
\par Verse 8 \lquote Sky\rquote . Many Bibles say \lquote *heaven\rquote here. But it does not mean the place where God and the *angels are.
\par Verse 11 \lquote Plants\rquote . These are the first things in *creation that are alive. They are the first things that grow.
\par Verse 14 \lquote Lights\rquote . God was forming the calendar. It included night and day. It included the moon\rquote
s movements. (That is, where it was at different times.) And it included the seasons in the year. In the *Old Testament, *religious festivals had to be at the right time each year. (Festivals are happy events that people organise because of
some special reason.) Those special times in the year included the time when people harvested their crops.
\par The sun and moon are just parts of God\rquote s *creation. They are not gods. The one real God rules over them. But some people used the names \lquote sun\rquote and \lquote moon\rquote
as the names of false gods. So the writer does not use those names here, otherwise people might have been confused. People might have thought that he meant those false gods.
\par \lquote Special meetings\rquote . The *Jews watched the sun\rquote s and moon\rquote s movements. From those, the *Jews worked out each year\rquote s calendar. And from the calendar, they could see when special *religious meetings would be.
\par Verse 20 Very many \lquote *creatures\rquote . When God gives something, he often gives plenty of it. He is generous.
\par Verse 21 God \lquote created\rquote . This was a special phase in *creation. So here the writer uses the special word for \lquote created\rquote , as he did in verse 1.
\par Verse 22 \lquote Have big families and grow in number.\rquote In many English Bibles, this is \lquote be *fruitful and multiply\rquote . God gives that command many times to people. It means much more than \lquote have large families\rquote
. It also means \lquote live at peace\rquote . So then the families do not kill each other. They are able to farm and they can produce good harvests. It also means \lquote live in a way that pleases God\rquote . We read ab
out that in the *New Testament too. In Galatians 5:22, the writer describes it as the \lquote fruit that the Spirit produces\rquote . That \lquote fruit\rquote
means good things that please God in our lives. God wanted his people to obey him. He promised that they would be peaceful then. They would not be ill, and they would get rich. That was very important when God\rquote
s people were very few. Today, God does not always make his people rich. When they can serve him, that is a reward in itself. And they will have a reward in *heaven too. Look at verse 28 below.
\par Verse 24 \lquote *Creatures that crawl\rquote . Some *creatures live both on land and in the sea. The writer may include those here. He may include insects too. And he may also include reptiles. (A reptile is an animal with hard skin and cold bl
ood. One example is a snake.)
\par Verse 26 God created people to live }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 in}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 nature. Also, he created them to rule }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 over}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 nature. People are like animals in many ways. However, people are also different from animals. God made them special. God created people to be like himself. God said, \lquote Let every kind of animal grow on the earth.
\rquote But he specially \lquote created\rquote people. People can love and they can think. They can know whether their behaviour is right or wrong. People wanted to know God and they wanted to obey him. God
made people rulers over everything else that God had made. God said, \lquote Let }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 us}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 make people\rquote
because God consists of three persons. Those are the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is three persons in one God.
\par People as a \lquote true image like ourselves\rquote . People (the man and the woman) were the only parts of God\rquote s *creation that were like God himself. God did not create anything else that was like himself.
\par Let people \lquote rule\rquote . God gave work to man. Also, God gave responsibility to him.
\par Verse 27 God \lquote created\rquote people. Here the writer uses that special word again. God was kind to people. People are special to God.
\par Verse 29 In the beginning, it seems that people and animals did not eat meat. But later Abel (Adam\rquote s son) looked after animals (Genesis 4:2). God did not tell people to kill animals for food until Genesis 9:2-3.
\par God gave the command that people should have families. He made plants and trees that have seeds. That was so that more plants and trees would grow for food. They would produce food for people and animals.
\par Verse 31 It was really \lquote very good\rquote . God is perfect. And everything that God made was perfect. It was exactly as he had planned.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 2
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So God had created the skies and the earth. And he had created the many *creatures in them. He had completed his *creation.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
By the seventh day, God had finished his *creation. He had finished that work that he had done. He rested on the seventh day. He rested from all the work that he had done. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So God *blessed the seventh day. He considered it different from the other days. He rested then from his work that he had done. He rested from his *creation. That was why he considered it different.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is the true story about how God created the earth and skies. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God made the earth and the skies. There were no green plants on the earth, because the *Lord God had not yet sent rain to the earth. There were not yet any people, so nobody could work with the soil. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then a mist came up from the earth, and the mist watered all the soil. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord God formed a man from dust that was on the earth. God breathed into the man\rquote s nostrils (the holes in the nose). The breath that God breathed into him made the man live. So the man became a person, who was alive.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God planted a garden in Eden, in the east. God put the man that he had formed into that garden. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God made all the trees grow there that are pleasant to look at. And their fruit is good to eat. Also, in the middle of the garden, there were these two trees. There was the tree that makes people
live. And there was the tree that makes people know right things and wrong things.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A river flowed out of Eden and it watered the garden. The river divided there into four rivers. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The first river is called Pishon. It flows all through the region called Havilah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There is good gold in Havilah. There is also bdellium (a kind of sticky stuff that smells good). And there is onyx (a valuable kind of stone). }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The second river is called Gihon. It flows all through the region called Cush. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The third
river is called the Tigris. It flows along the east side of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God took the man. And he put the man in the garden that was in Eden. God told the man to work with the soil in the garden. God told him t
o take care of the garden. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God gave these orders to Adam. \lquote
You can eat from all the other trees in the garden. You can eat from them as much fruit as you want. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But you must not eat fruit from the tree that makes you know right things and wrong things. You will die on the day when you eat that fruit. That is why you must not eat it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord God said, \lquote It is not good for man to be alone. I will make a helper as a partner for him.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the *Lord God had formed from dust all the
animals on land. And he had formed all the birds that fly in the air. God brought the animals and birds to Adam. God wanted to see what names Adam would give to them. That was why he brought them to him. Whatever name Adam gave, that was the name for eac
h *creature. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Adam gave names to all *cattle. He gave names to all the birds that fly in the air. And he gave names to all the wild animals on the earth. But none among them was a good helper that could be Adam\rquote s partner. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the *Lord God made Adam sleep deeply. While Adam slept, God took one rib out of Adam. (A rib is a bone in the top part of someone\rquote
s body.) Then God closed up the place where that bone had been. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord God made a woman from the rib (bone) that he had taken out of the man. Then God brought her to the man.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the man said, \lquote This, at last, is my bone and *flesh. I shall call her \'93woman\'94, because she came out of man.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Therefore a man leaves his father and mother and he joins his wife. Then the two people become one person.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the man and his wife were both naked. And they did not think that it was wrong.
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Everything that God created was perfect. And everything was wonderful. But men and women had a special place in God\rquote
s plan. Firstly, God created a perfect world for the first man to live in. Then God prepared a special home for the man. This home was in a beautiful garden (or farm) that God had planted. God made th
e man (called Adam) from dust that was on the earth. Then God breathed his Spirit into the man, so that the man was alive (verse 7). Afterwards, God provided a wife (called Eve) for the man.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 God completed his *creation. However, he is still working. He has not stopped. But it is different work. He now looks after all that he created.
\par Verse 2 God repeated that he finished his work. This means the work that he did in *creation. It must be very important for us to know this.
\par Verse 3 God made the seventh (7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
) day special. God made us like himself. After we work for six (6) days, we need one different day. *Jews keep Saturday (the seventh day in the week) special, because of this verse. And it is also because of God\rquote s command in Exodu
s 20:10. Christians keep Sunday (the first day in the week) special, because Jesus rose from death on the first day. It does not matter whether our special day is the first or seventh day in our week. It is important that we keep one day in a week differe
nt. We *worship God together on that day, if we can. We need to have a rest for one day each week to keep our bodies healthy. When we have God\rquote
s *blessings, we have duties as well. He has provided a day when we should rest. But we must make it special for G
od. This is like a description or picture for us. It shows to us something about Jesus. He was dying for us on the cross. That was his work. Then he said, \lquote It is finished.\rquote
He had finished that work. But now he lives in heaven to pray for us. God has promised a \lquote rest\rquote
for Christians in heaven. That rest will last always. But it does not mean that we shall do nothing there. We shall praise God and we shall serve him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The garden in Eden, 2:4-25
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 4 This story seems similar to the one in chapter 1. This story in chapter 2, however, is the story about man. It is about how God made everything ready for man. The *Hebrew word for \lquote true story\rquote
means family or children. It refers back to the many *creatures in verse 1. It can mean past history. Or it can mean future history. Writers use that same word in other places in the Bible. And in those places it means future history.
\par Verse 7 God made the first man from dust. But God made him special. God breathed into him. God\rquote s breath made the man alive. The same *Hebrew word for \lquote breath\rquote means \lquote spirit\rquote
also. So God gave his Spirit to the man, so that his Spirit would live in the man. God also made the man able to breathe air. That was so that the man could live on the earth. Man\rquote s spirit lives as well as his body. But tha
t is not true for animals. God did not breathe his Spirit into animals. The writer says that God formed man. So, God made man as a potter forms a pot. (A potter makes pots skilfully from *clay.) That shows to us how clever God is. It shows to us that we m
ust serve him. And we must obey him as our master. We must obey him because he created us.
\par Verse 8 Eden seems to be the name of a region.
\par Verse 12 Bdellium may be a particular kind of tree. The tree produces a sticky stuff (also called bdellium). People use
that sticky stuff to make perfume. (Perfume is a liquid that smells nice.) Or the word might mean pearls. (Pearls are shiny white little balls of hard material. They are valuable. People use them to make things beautiful.) Onyx is a kind of valuable ston
e. We are not certain exactly what these two things are.
\par Verses 11-14. We do not know the Pishon River today. Nor do we know the Gihon River. However, it is important to know this. Eden was an actual place. This is all true. The rivers flowed out of the gar
den. They came to places outside it. And so they helped things to live there too. Water is very important in a hot area. Look at Ezekiel chapter 47.
\par Verse 15 God took care of Adam. And God took Adam to the garden that God had prepared for him. God gave work for Adam to do. Adam\rquote s work was to look after the garden. A better word than \lquote garden\rquote here might be \lquote farm\rquote
(like an African farm called a \lquote shamba\rquote ). The garden was not just a pretty place with flowers and trees. But it was important for food also.
\par Verse 17 God gave Adam an important command. So Adam was responsible to God. As we shall see in chapter 3, Adam did not obey God\rquote
s command. In the garden, Adam had the freedom to be a friend of God. But Adam did not want this freedom. Instead, he wanted the freedom to do whatever things he wanted to do. He wanted to live his own life, without God\rquote
s friendship. So Adam chose to do evil things, although God had warned him about the results of such a decision.
\par \lquote You will die.\rquote Death was not part of God\rquote s original pla
n for men and women. God wanted them to live always and to be his friends. But when men and women began to do evil things, the result was death. Their bodies did not die immediately. But their spirits were dead, because they were not still friends of God.
And so they could not go to be with God in heaven when their bodies died.
\par Adam\rquote s decision to do evil things causes death for everyone. But Christ brings life to everyone who trusts him (1 Corinthians 15:21). Our spirits become alive immediately when we tru
st Christ. We must confess our *sins to God and we must invite him into our lives. Then we become friends of God. And we shall have a place in heaven. Christ has defeated death, but our bodies still die (1 Corinthians 15:26). But when Christ returns, God
will change us (1 Corinthians 15:51). Then Christians who have died will become alive again. And we shall always live with God.
\par Verse 20 God gave Adam control over everything in the garden. So, Adam chose the name for each animal and bird that was there.
\par God was very careful that Adam should have a good partner to be his wife.
\par Verse 21 God made Adam from the dust. But God made Eve from Adam\rquote s own body. This is also like a description or picture of Christ and the church (all the real Christians everywhere). See Ephesians 5:31-32. The Bible also describes the church as
\lquote the bride of Christ\rquote and \lquote the body of Christ\rquote (Ephesians 5:23-27). So the church is united with Christ. And the church serves Christ. But the church is also separate from Christ. Christ does not
control Christians. Christians have the freedom to make their own decisions.
\par Verse 23 Adam was very pleased with the woman that God gave him.
\par Verse 24 Marriage is God\rquote s plan for a man and a woman. Marriage should last for life. A man and his wife become a new family. They live together and they work together, under God\rquote s rules.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 3
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adam and Eve do not obey God, 3:1-7
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Now the snake was the most clever among all the wild animals that the *Lord God had made. The snake said this to the woman: \lquote Did God say that you can eat the fruit from all the trees in the garden?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is how the woman answered the snake. \lquote We can eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But God said, \'93You must not eat the fruit from a certain tree. That tree is in the middle of the garden. Do not even touch it, otherwise you will die.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the snake replied to the woman, \lquote You will not die. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 But when you eat the fruit, your eyes will open. God knows that. You will be like God and you will know right things and wrong things.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So the woman saw that the fruit was good to eat. And she saw that it was lovely to look at. She also thought that it would make her wise. She then took some fruit and she ate it. She also gave some fruit to her husband and he ate it. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then their eyes opened. They realised that they were naked. They sewed together leaves from a fig tree to cover themselves. (Figs are sweet fruit with many seeds.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man and woman heard God walk in the garden in the cool evening. They hid away from God. They hid among the trees in the garden. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *Lord God called aloud to the man. God said, \lquote Where are you?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man said, \lquote I heard you in the garden. And I was afraid, because I was naked. So I hid.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said, \lquote Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten the fruit that I told you not to eat?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man replied, \lquote You gave the woman to me so that she would be my partner. She gave the fruit to me and I ate.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord God said to the woman, \lquote What have you done?\rquote The woman replied, \lquote The snake tempted me and I ate.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God said this to the snake: \lquote Out of all the *cattle and wild animals, you are the animal that I *curse. You shall m
ove on your stomach and you shall eat dust all your life. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I will make you and the woman enemies. Your *descendants and her *descendants will be enemies. The woman\rquote s *descendant will badly hurt you, and you will hurt him a little.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God told the woma
n that she would have a lot of pain when she was *pregnant. And she would have a lot of pain when she had a baby. She would want her husband\rquote s love, but he would rule over her.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God told Adam, \lquote You listened to what your wife said. You ate the fruit from
the tree that I told you not to eat from. Now, because you have not obeyed me, the ground has a *curse. You will work hard all your life in order to get food from it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You will find thorns and thistles there. (Both are wild plants with sharp points along them.) You will eat wild plants.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You will *sweat in order to grow food. That will happen until you die. And then people will bury you. I made you from the dust, and you will again be dust.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man called his wife Eve. She would be the mother of all those that would live. That is why he gave her that name.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the *Lord God made clothes out of skin for Adam and Eve. They wore the clothes. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord God said, \lquote Now, the man has become like us. He knows good things and evil things. Now,
he might reach forward with his hand. Then he might pick fruit from the tree that makes people live. And then he might eat that fruit, and so he would live for always.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And so the *Lord God sent the man out of the garden that was in Eden. God sent him out for always. God had made the man out of the soil. And now God told him to work with the soil. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God forced the man to go out. Then God put *cherubim to guard the garden in Eden. They were at the east side of the garden. There was a sword with them a
nd flames were coming from it. The sword moved in all directions to guard every way to the tree. That is, the tree that makes people live.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This chapter is a very important chapter because it helps us to understand the Bible\rquote s message. Before the events in
this chapter, the world was perfect. People had not *sinned. They obeyed God. And they were friends of God. Everything changed after the events in this chapter.
\par Satan (the devil) used a snake to test the first people (called Adam and Eve). Satan told them that they should not trust God\rquote s words. And Satan encouraged them not to obey God.
\par The results of their action were terrible. They were afraid and they tried to hide from God. They could not continue their friendship with God.
\par But, even afterwards, God was
kind to them. He killed an animal so that they could cover their bodies. And he made a promise to Eve that seems to refer to Jesus. *Sin has been a real problem for every person who has ever lived. Because of *sin, our world is not perfect. Because of *s
in, we have many troubles. But Jesus came to free us from our *sins. When he died, he suffered the punishment for our *sins. We need to confess our *sins to God. And we need to invite God into our lives. Then we shall be friends of God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 God had made the snake. But *Satan was using it to do something against God\rquote
s command. The snake was able to talk to the woman. That shows that it was not an ordinary snake. There was only one tree whose fruit God had forbidden the woman to eat. Bu
t the snake made her want that fruit. The snake made her think that God was not speaking the truth. It made her think that God did not care about her and Adam.
\par Verse 3 The woman spoke as if God had given a very strict command. She said that God had ordered her and Adam, \lquote Do not even }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 touch}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 it (the fruit).
\rquote But God had not said that.
\par Verse 4 The snake then denied what God had said. The snake said, \lquote You will not die.\rquote
\par Verse 5 \lquote Your eyes will open\rquote . Writers in the Bible often say that. It does not mean that we
cannot see things round us now. It means that we do not understand about God. The woman was greedy. She wanted the fruit and she wanted to be like God. However, God had made the woman like himself already. God had given power to her and her husband, so th
at they had power over everything else. The woman could have sent the snake away.
\par Verse 7 \lquote Their eyes opened\rquote . *Sin affects all parts of us. Adam and Eve were not actually blind before. But now they saw that they had done something wrong. In other words, th
ey understood it with their mind. They ate the fruit with their bodies, because they were not obeying God with their mind. Then they felt ashamed because they were naked.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adam and Eve suffer because they *sinned, 3:8-24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 8 The writer described the gar
den very well. Before Adam and Eve ate that fruit, they had liked to meet God. But we can imagine how Adam and Eve then hid from God. However, people cannot really hide from God, although they may try!
\par Verse 12 Adam blamed his wife Eve. And Adam even blamed God, because God had given Eve to him!
\par Verse 13 Eve blamed the snake. People are afraid to say, \lquote I did it. I *sinned.\rquote
\par Verse 14 God punished the snake first.
\par Verse 15 Next, God punished *Satan, who had seemed to be like the snake. In the original *Hebrew text, God said that the woman\rquote s \lquote seed\rquote (*descendant) would \lquote bruise *Satan\rquote s head\rquote
. That means that Jesus would hurt *Satan badly. But *Satan\rquote s \lquote seed\rquote (*descendant) would only \lquote hurt Jesus\rquote *heel\rquote . In other words, he would annoy Jesus. But he would not hurt
Jesus seriously. Here, the writer uses a different word. It means only \lquote hurt in some way\rquote . It does not have the special meaning \lquote bruise\rquote .
\par Verse 16 Next, God explained to the woman the results of her *sin. She would suffer pain. Even th
e happy time when she had a baby would cause pain. But a woman would still desire a husband and children. And, of course, in verse 15, God had promised that the woman would receive something good by her *descendant or child. Her *descendant would oppose t
he devil. Her *descendant would free people from the devil\rquote s power, like someone who uses his foot to break a snake\rquote s head. Jesus was the woman\rquote s *descendant. And he did these things when he died for us (Galatians 4:4-5).
\par There is a special promise to women in 1 Timothy 2:15. This verse says, \lquote God will save women during the birth of a child if they continue to trust him. He will do that if they continue to love him. He will do it if they are holy and modest.\rquote
\par Verse 17 God explained to Adam the results of his *sin. Adam would have to work hard for his food.
\par Verse 18 The garden in Eden was a nice one, which God designed for Adam. But Adam would not continue to live in that kind of garden.
\par Verse 19 Adam would have to prepare his own garden.
\par Verse 20 Eve means \lquote someone that gives life\rquote .
\par Verse 21 In this verse, we see how God showed Adam to *sacrifice animals because of *sin. That was like a picture (or a special description). It showed what Jesus would suffer. People would kill Jesus too, like the animals. He, too
, had to suffer because of people\rquote s *sin.
\par Skin from an animal would protect people better than leaves protected them. (Look at verse 7.) Also, an animal\rquote s skin was warmer than leaves.
\par Verse 22 Jesus suffered because of people\rquote s *sin. So he knew what *sin w
as like. People had started to *sin. And *sin causes people to suffer. *Sin is very bad for people. So God did not want people to eat fruit from the tree that makes people live. That was because they would then always live in that bad state. So they would
always continue to suffer terribly.
\par Verse 23 The *cherubim were God\rquote s special servants that guarded *holy things and *holy places. Later, someone sewed a design onto the curtain that people put in the *Temple. In that design, there were pictures that showe
d *cherubim. When Jesus died, God tore that curtain into two pieces (Matthew 27:51). That action has a special meaning for us. It means that we can now come to God because of Jesus.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 4
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\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Adam lay with his wife Eve. Eve became *pregnant and she had a baby. She called him Cain. She said, \lquote With the *Lord\rquote s help, I have gained a man.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Later she had another baby, Cain\rquote s brother Abel.
\par Now Abel looked after sheep and Cain worked with the soil. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After some time, Cain brought some fruit from his la
nd. He brought it because he intended to offer the fruit to the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But Abel brought some pieces of meat with fat. They were from some sheep in his *flock. Those sheep were born first, before the other sheep were born. The *Lord was pleased with Abel. And he was pleased with Abel\rquote s *offering. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But he was not pleased with Cain. And he was not pleased with Cain\rquote s *offering. So Cain was very angry. And his face showed that he had a lot of hate.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said to Cain, \lquote Why are you so angry? Why
does your face show a lot of hate? If you do the right thing, I will certainly accept you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But if you do not do the right thing, *sin can come in. *Sin is like an animal that is waiting at your door. It has bent down low on the ground, so that it is ready to catch you. *Sin wants to overcome you, but you must rule over it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, \lquote Let us go out to the field.\rquote
While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel. He killed Abel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said to Cain, \lquote Where is your brother Abel?\rquote Cain replied, \lquote I do not know. Should I be looking after him?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said, \lquote What have you done? Listen. Your brother\rquote s blood cries out to me from the ground. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now you have a *curse. And I am forcing you to go away from the land. You killed your brother and you made his blood fall to the ground. And the earth received his blood. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So when you work with the soil, it will not produce crops for you any longer. You will wander about on the earth and you will have no rest.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Cain said to the *Lord, \lquote You are punishing me too severely. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Today you are forcing me to go away from the land. You are sending me away from you for always. I will wander about on the earth and I will have no rest. Anyone that finds me will kill me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *Lord said to Cain, \lquote For that reason, if anyone kills Cain, I will punish the killer 7 times.\rquote
Then the *Lord put a mark on Cain. Therefore, if anyone found him, they would not kill him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Cain went away from God. And he lived in the regi
on called Nod, which was east from Eden.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Cain lay with his wife. She became *pregnant. And she had a baby, whom she called Enoch. Cain built a city. He called the city Enoch because of his son\rquote s name. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Enoch was Irad\rquote s father. Irad was Mehujael\rquote s father. Mehujael was Methushael\rquote s father. Methushael was Lamech\rquote s father.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lamech had two wives. One wife was called Adah, and the other wife was called Zillah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Zillah had a baby called Jabal. Jabal was the father of those that live in tents. They also look after *cattle. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jabal\rquote s brother was called Jubal. Jubal was the father of all those that play the *harp and *flute. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain. Tubal-Cain taught all those that worked with the metals called bronze and iron. Tubal-Cain\rquote s sister was Naamah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lamech said to his wives Adah and Zillah, \lquote
Listen to me. My wives, listen carefully. I have killed a man because I received an injury from him. He was a young man that hurt me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
If any person hurts Cain, God will punish that person 7 times. So if any person hurts me (Lamech), God will punish that person 77 times.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adam lay with his wife again and she had a baby son. So she called him Seth. She said, \lquote
Cain killed Abel. But God has given to me another child instead of Abel.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Seth also had a son. He called his son Enosh. Then people began to call the *Lord\rquote s name.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adam and Eve had two sons, called Cain and Abel. God had promised in Genesis 3:15 that Eve\rquote s *descendant would free people from the power of *sin. So perhaps Ev
e hoped that these *descendants would achieve this. If so, their lives would disappoint her. Cain, who was the first child ever to be born, became a murderer. And Abel, who tried to serve God, died at a very young age. Their lives show the effects of *sin
.
\par The most important event in Cain\rquote s and Abel\rquote
s lives happened when they decided to give a gift to God. After Adam and Eve *sinned, God killed an animal. Then, God used its skin as clothes, in order to cover Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:21). *Sin required a *sac
rifice. Abel seemed to understand this principle. He realised that his own efforts could not please God. Something had to die. That is also why Jesus had to die for our *sins. Jesus is like the perfect *lamb of God (1 Peter 1:18-19). Nobody can please God
by his or her own efforts. Instead, we must humbly confess our *sin to God. God forgives us because of Jesus.
\par But Cain did not realise that he needed to bring a *sacrifice. He chose some fruit as a gift to God. And Cain\rquote s attitude was not humble. When God refused Cain\rquote
s gift, Cain was very angry. Cain did not try to find out his error. And he did not offer a *sacrifice. Instead, he felt very jealous. And that is why he killed Abel.
\par Cain\rquote s *descendants were wicked people. They had many skills, but they refused to serve God. But Eve had another son. And his *descendants began to think about God again.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Cain and Abel, 4:1-16
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Adam \lquote lay with his wife\rquote . In the *Hebrew, it is \lquote Adam knew his wife.\rquote The *Hebrew name \lquote Adam\rquote is the same as the *Hebrew word for \lquote the man\rquote . The *Hebrew name for
\lquote Eve\rquote means \lquote alive\rquote .
\par In *Hebrew, people\rquote s names had meanings. So did places\rquote names. The writers often \lquote played\rquote with words. In the same sentence, they often used two words that sounded nearly the same.
\par The name \lquote Cain\rquote means \lquote produced\rquote .
\par Verse 2 The name \lquote Abel\rquote means \lquote breath\rquote , \lquote with a short life\rquote , or \lquote without meaning\rquote . Maybe this refers to Abel\rquote s short life.
\par Verses 3-5 God wanted people to offer to him animals rather than fruit. Later, people *sacrificed animals to God. The animals\rquote
death was like a description or picture for us. It shows us how Jesus would die. In that way, he would suffer the punishment for our *sins. Abel took trouble to give God the best gift that he could give. The first
*lambs were usually the healthiest ones and they were usually the fattest ones.
\par But Cain\rquote s gift was not the *sacrifice of an animal. He brought some fruit that he had produced on his farm. He thought that his own efforts were enough to please God.
\par God knew what Cain and Abel were thinking. God showed Cain that he did not accept Cain\rquote s *offering. God showed Abel that he accepted Abel\rquote s *lamb. But we do not know how God showed those facts to them.
\par Verse 7 The writer describes *sin as if it is a wild animal. That \lquote animal\rquote
was bending down low on the ground and it was waiting. It was ready to jump suddenly onto Cain. And then it would catch Cain and it would overcome him. In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter writes this: \lquote The devil is your enemy. He is like a lion. A lion walk
s about and he makes a loud noise. He walks about because he is looking for someone to eat.\rquote
God wanted Cain to do the right thing. Cain too could kill an animal as a *sacrifice to God. Then God would be pleased with Cain. But Cain refused to live in the way that God wanted him to live. Cain\rquote s attitudes were still wrong.
\par Verse 8 An important *Hebrew text does not include the words, \lquote Let us go out to the field.\rquote But many other *Hebrew texts have it. The story about Abel\rquote s death is very brief. We realise how
bad it was. Cain killed his own brother, Abel, because Abel was a good man. And, Cain killed him because Cain\rquote s deeds were evil (1 John 3:12).
\par Verse 9 God had known where Adam and Eve were hiding. But God had asked where they were. Then they would be able
to say that they were sorry. They should have been sorry because they had not obeyed God. Similarly, God asked Cain what he (Cain) had done. Then he could say that he was sorry. But Cain was not sorry and he lied. But God knows what we are really like. So
we cannot lie to God.
\par Verses 10-14 God has made people in his image. It is very evil to kill another person. We must allow God to be the judge over people. Later, God told the *Israelites how to punish murderers. He gave exact rules to the *Israelites about that. The word
\lquote cries\rquote here is a very strong word in *Hebrew. It is like a man\rquote s cry for food when he is starving. Or it is like a woman\rquote
s cry when someone is *raping her. Abel himself could not still cry aloud, because Cain had killed him. But now it was as if Abel\rquote s blood was crying aloud instead of Abel. Blood means murder, which God hates. God hears his people\rquote
s desperate cries. Abel\rquote s body had died. So God had not saved Abel from that. But God punished Cain because Cain had killed Abel.
\par Verses 15-16 \lquote More than seven times\rquote . We do not know what \lquote seven times\rquote means here. Perhaps it just means \lquote very much\rquote
. In the Bible, numbers often have special meanings. The number 7 means that something is complete.
\par We do not know what Cain\rquote s mark was. The name \lquote Cain\rquote is like the *Hebrew word for \lquote shall receive punishment\rquote . All Cain\rquote
s life, the mark reminded him about his *sin. And it reminded him also that God was still protecting him. By means of that mark, God warned other people not to hurt Cain.
\par We do not know how many people there were on earth. The family grew quickly.
\par \lquote Nod\rquote means that someone is \lquote wandering\rquote .
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Cain\rquote s family, 4:17-24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 17-19 We do not know who Cain\rquote s wife was. Adam and Eve may have had other children.
\par It is not clear whether Cain built a city. It is possible that his son Enoch built it. The word for \lquote city\rquote might in fact mean a very small place.
\par Verses 20-22 Cain\rquote s *descendants had great skills. But they opposed God. And Lamech himself was a very evil man.
\par Verse 23 Lamech was proud about his *sin. He had killed a young man (perhaps even a boy) because the boy had hurt him! In the *New Testament, Jesus told Peter how many times he (Peter) should forgive people. It was a very large number, \lquote 70 times 7
\rquote . Maybe Jesus was thinking about Lamech then.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adam\rquote s family from Adam to Noah, 4:25-5:32
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 25 \lquote Seth\rquote means that someone had \lquote given\rquote something. God had given Seth to Eve. In other words, Seth was born. God had not forgotten his promise. God had promised that someone from among Adam
\rquote s *descendants would save the earth\rquote s people (Genesis 3:15).
\par Verse 26 People began to \lquote call the *Lord\rquote s name\rquote . People began to think about God. That may mean that they prayed to him. It may mean that they talked about him. And they talked also about everything that he did.
It may mean that they possibly called themselves \lquote the *Lord\rquote s people\rquote .
\par This chapter is very important. Its writer tells us about people that really lived. That is why it is important. He tells us what some people were like at that time. These events really happened.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 5
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
This is the account about Adam and his family. On the day when God created Adam, he made Adam like God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God created man and woman. God *blessed them. He called them Adam on the day when he created them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Adam had lived for 130 years, he became the father of a son. The son was like Adam himself. The son was like Adam\rquote
s own image. Adam called his son Seth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Seth was born, Adam lived for 800 more years. Adam had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 His whole life lasted 930 years, and then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Seth had lived for 105 years, he became Enosh\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Enosh was born, Seth lived for 807 more years. Seth had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 912 years. Then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Enosh had lived for 90 years, he became Kenan\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Kenan was born, Enosh lived for 815 more years. Enosh had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 905 years. Then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Kenan had lived for 70 years, he became Mahalalel\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Mahalalel was born, Kenan lived for 840 more years. Kenan had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 910 years. Then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Mahalalel had lived for 65 years, he became Jared\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Jared was born, Mahalalel lived for 830 more years. Mahalalel had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 895 years. Then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Jared had lived for 162 years, he became Enoch\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Enoch was born, Jared lived for 800 more years. Jared had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 962 years, and then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Enoch had lived for 65 years, he became Methuselah\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Methuselah was born, Enoch lived for 300 more years. Enoch was walking with God. He had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted 365 years. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Enoch walked with God and Enoch disappeared. God took him away.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Methuselah had lived for 187 years, he became Lamech\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Lamech was born, Methuselah lived for 782 more years. Methuselah had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted for 969 years, and then he died.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Lamech had lived for 182 years, he became the father of a son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lamech called his son Noah. He said, \lquote We pray that this son will bring rest to us from this hard work. It is hard work to farm the ground because God has *cursed the ground.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Noah was born, Lamech lived for 595 more years. Lamech had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 His whole life lasted for 777 years, and then he died. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Noah was 500 years old, he became the father of Shem, Ham and Japheth.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This chapter contrasts with Genesis 4:17-24. Chapter 4 contains a list of Cain\rquote s *descendants. Cain\rquote s *descendants had many skills, but they were very wicked. T
hey became a very large family but they all died in the flood.
\par But Chapter 5 gives us a list of Adam\rquote s *descendants by Seth. Among this large family were several people who really served God.
\par Especially, Enoch\rquote s life interests us (verses 21-24). Enoch \lquote walked with God\rquote
. This means that Enoch had a special relationship or friendship with God. In fact, his friendship was so special that God did not allow Enoch to die. Compare Elijah in 2 Kings 2:11-12.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 The words in this verse show that it starts a new section in Genesis. (Look at Genesis 2:4; 6:9; 10:1.) It starts the account about Adam\rquote s *descendants that came from his son Seth.
\par \lquote This is the account about Adam and his family.\rquote The *Hebrew text here actually means \lquote the }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 book}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 about Adam\rquote s family\rquote .
\par Verses 3-32 It is possible that there are gaps in this account. A man in the list may have been the next person\rquote s grandfather or *ancestor. He may not have been the actual father. However, it is likely that there are no gaps. That is because
the writer gives exact ages. The earth might be a lot older than Genesis seems to show. Many people have that belief. However, scientists are not at all certain how old the earth is. It does not matter if days and years were a different length then. We kn
ow that God made the earth. And he made everything in it. If time was different then, it does not make God less wonderful. And it does not make man less wicked. We trust God.
\par At that time, people lived longer. Life was healthier. There were not so many illnesses.
\par Enoch (verse 18) and Lamech (verse 25) were also names of Cain\rquote s *descendants.
\par In verse 22, Enoch \lquote walked\rquote with God. The writer uses the same word here as when God was walking in Eden. You can read more about Enoch in Jude 14-15.
\par In verse 25, we read about \lquote Methuselah\rquote . We do not know what that name meant. Someone has said that it meant this: \lquote When he dies, it will happen.\rquote (\lquote It\rquote
here means the flood.) If so, Methuselah lived a long time because God gave extra time to wicked men. God gave them extra time so that they could change their behaviour. Also, the name may mean just \lquote he dies\rquote
. That reminds us that we all die, even if we may live for a very long time.
\par In verse 29, Noah sounds like \lquote rest\rquote in *Hebrew.
\par In verse 32, Noah\rquote s sons were in fact born at different times.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 6
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God allowed the people who lived before the flood to have long lives. He wanted them to have sufficient time to change their attitudes. He wanted them to pray to him and to trust him again. But most people did not use their lon
g lives to turn to God. And they did not become better people as they became older. In fact, people were becoming even more evil.
\par So God decided that he would not allow people to live so long. And he decided to punish wicked people wherever they lived. In verse 7, God\rquote
s plan was to destroy everything that he had made. But God saw that there were a few good people among the vast numbers of evil people.
\par Especially, God saw Noah. Noah was unlike other people. Noah \lquote walked with God\rquote (verse 9), like Enoch (Genes
is 5:24) and like Adam before he *sinned. So God could not destroy the entire world. He always does the right things (Genesis 18:25). And he will always save the people who trust him (2 Peter 3:11-13).
\par So God made a plan. He would still punish and kill the
wicked people. But he would save the earth and he would allow some animals to live. God would separate the people who obeyed him from evil people. And God would save the people who trusted him. Noah would build a large boat, called the *ark. And Noah wou
ld protect his family, and each type of animal, in the boat.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Everybody was very evil, 6:1-8
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Men had large families on earth and they had many sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were pretty. The sons of God chose some daughters and they married those daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then the *Lord said, \lquote My Spirit shall not struggle with people for always because they are human. They shall live for 120 years.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The Nephilim (giant people) were on the earth at that time. They were also there afterwards. The sons of God lay with the daughters of men. And so the sons of God had children. Those children became the famous men that lived a long time ago. They were fa
mous because they were very strong and brave.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord saw that the people on the earth were very wicked. Man\rquote s every thought was always evil. And so was every wish in his heart. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the *Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth. He was bitterly angry. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the *Lord said, \lquote
I will completely take away man, whom I have created, from the earth. I will completely take away from the earth all people and animals. I will take away all birds that fly in the air. And I will take away all *creatures t
hat crawl. I am sorry that I made them.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *Lord was pleased with Noah.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 2 We do not know who the \lquote sons of God\rquote were. Some people think that the \lquote sons of God\rquote
were *angels or spirits. But another explanation is that they were *descendants of Seth. If that is the meaning, then the \lquote daughters of men\rquote would be *descendants of Cain.
\par We do know this. The \lquote sons of God\rquote were choosing wives for the wrong reason. They chose women that were pretty. But they needed to choose women that were good.
\par God\rquote s people often have to behave in a different way from other people. This is because God\rquote s people belong to God. Seth\rquote s *descendants knew how to please God. They understood *sa
crifice. They knew how to be friends of God. So they should not have associated with evil people.
\par Verse 3 My Spirit shall not \lquote struggle with man\rquote . The *Hebrew words here may have two different meanings. They can also mean \lquote continue to stay in man\rquote . However, we learn the same thing from both meanings. When God\rquote
s Spirit is }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 in}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 us, he }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 struggles}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
with our natural character. Our natural character is *sinful. We have it because we are human. \lquote Do not upset God\rquote s Holy Spirit\rquote (Ephesians 4:30).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 \lquote 120 years\rquote . That may mean:
\par (1) that man would live only about 120 years instead of many hundred years; or
\par (2) that God would send the flood after 120 years.
\par But we learn the same thing from it anyway. God\rquote s patience with man will end and God will bring judgement to all people. (\lquote Judgement\rquote
means that he will bring punishment to those that have done wrong things. But God has provided ways to escape. God provided a way so that those people in the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\cgrid0\insrsid16530303 could escape. Later, he gave Jesus to us. Because of Jesus, we can escape from God\rquote s punishment.
\par Verse 4 \lquote Nephilim\rquote . They were giant people, who probably lived in an evil way.
\par Verse 5 The *Lord saw that there was nothing good in people. Even in their hearts, or minds, he could not find anything good.
\par Verse 6 God \lquote was sorry\rquote . But God did not wish that he had not made the earth. God loves people very much. But he is also *holy and he is completely fair. He was very sad to see how evil people had become. Their behaviour upset him deeply.
\par Verse 7 *Sin does not hurt only the person who *sins. At that time, it hurt the whole earth.
\par Verse 8 People were very evil. But Noah pleased God. And so, God made a special plan to save Noah.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God warns Noah, 6:9-22
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are Noah\rquote
s *descendants. Noah was a good man. Among the people that were alive then, he was without blame. Noah walked with God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Noah had three sons called Shem, Ham and Japheth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now God considered the earth as bad. All the people on the earth attacked each other often. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God looked at the earth. And he saw that it was very bad. All people lived in an evil way on the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And God said to Noah, \lquote I have decided to kill all people. The people who are on the earth attack each other often. Look! I will kill man. And I will destroy the earth too. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Make an *ark for yourself. Make it out of gopher wood (a certain kind of wood.) Make rooms in the *ark. Cover it with pitch (sticky black stuff) inside and outside. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is how you must make it. It must be 300 *cubits long, 50 *cubits wide and 30 *cubits high. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Make a roof for the *ark. Finish the *ark so that it ends 1 *cubit from the top. So then there will be a window for light. Put a door in the side of the *ark. Make three decks. There must be lower, middle and upper decks. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will flood the earth with water. I will kill all *creatures that live under the skies. Every *creature that lives will die. Everything on the earth will die. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will make a *covenant with you. And I will do what I have promised you. You will enter the *ark with your sons. Your wife and your sons\rquote
wives will also be with you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Take each kind of *creature that lives. Take two from among each kind. Take them into the *ark with you and keep them alive. Take one male and one female from among each kind. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Take two from among every sort and keep them alive. Take two from among every kind of bird. Take two from among every kind of animal. And take every kind of *creature that crawls. Take two from among every kind. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Take every sort of food to eat. Take it with you and store it. That will be food for you. And it will be food for the birds, animals and *creatures.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah did that. He did everything exactly as God ordered him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Verse 9 Noah was not perfect. He was \lquote *righteous\rquote . That means that he really tried to obey God. A *righteous person is som
eone who loves God. Such a person cares about other people too. A *righteous person lives in this way even if he would suffer as a result. Because of these attitudes, Noah was different from everyone else who lived at that time.
\par Verse 11 God saw that people had done many wrong things. In that way, they spoilt their own lives. They refused to do the things that please God. And they chose to live wicked lives. So God would kill them.
\par Verse 14 \lquote *Ark\rquote . The *Hebrew word for \lquote *ark\rquote here is the same one that the writer uses for Moses\rquote basket. (Look at Exodus 2:3, 5.) But that word does not appear anywhere else in the Bible. The *ark\rquote
s shape was more like a building than a boat. Noah did not make the *ark to sail regularly on the seas. It had a special purpose, and its shape was ideal for that purpose.
\par \lquote Gopher wood\rquote . We are not sure what the word \lquote gopher\rquote means. So we do not know exactly what that wood was.
\par \lquote Pitch\rquote is a sticky black stuff. It would help to protect the wood from water. The *Hebrew words for \lquote pitch\rquote and \lquote cover\rquote are similar to each other. Later, when Jesus died for us, he \lquote covered\rquote
our *sins by means of his death.
\par \lquote Inside and outside\rquote . That may mean \lquote completely\rquote .
\par Make \lquote rooms\rquote in the *ark. Here, where we have the word \lquote rooms\rquote , the original *Hebrew text has \lquote nests\rquote
. Some people have said that its meaning might be this. There are tall grasses called reeds, which grow in shallow water. Many birds use these to make their nests. So it might mean that also Noah should use these plants, to make the *ark.
\par Noah lived many miles from the sea. He did not know how to build boats. Nobody had ever built a boat like this. People probably laughed at him. But God told him what to do.
\par Verse 15 A *cubit is }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 a measurement that people used then. It is equal to 18 inches (about 45 centimetres).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Verse 18 I will make a \lquote *covenant\rquote with you. In *Hebrew, that is the same word as for \lquote testament\rquote
. (A testament is a text that a person writes. It shows who must receive that person\rquote s property after the person\rquote s death.) *Covenants were seri
ous agreements between two people (or two nations). Each person (or nation) had to promise to do certain things. God promised to save Noah. But God would only do that if Noah went into the *ark.
\par Verse 22 Noah had to do a lot of difficult things. He did them all because God told him to.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 7
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God saves Noah from the flood, 7:1-24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said to Noah, \lquote
Go into the *ark and take all your family with you. I have seen that you alone are good among those that are living now. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Take 7 pairs of all *clean animals with you. So there will be seven males and their mates. Take one male and one female from each kind of *unclean animal. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Take seven pairs (male and female) of every bird that flies in the air. So then you will keep each kind of bird alive on the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After 7 days, I will send rain upon the earth. It will rain for 40 days and 40 nights. I will completely take away from the earth every *creature that is alive. I will take away from the earth\rquote s surface all those that I have made.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And Noah did everything that the *Lord had ordered him to do.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah was 600 years old when the flood came. That was when the waters came upon the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah went into the *ark. He took with him his sons, his wife and his sons\rquote wives. They entered the *ark in order to escape the waters of the flood. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Also, there were pairs of *clean animals and there were pairs of *unclean animals. There were pairs of birds. And there were pairs of everything that crawls on the ground. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They all went into the *ark with Noah. They went in order as pairs, male and female. It was exactly as God had given the command to Noah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After 7 days, the waters of the flood came upon the earth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It was the 600}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 year in Noah\rquote
s life. It was the 2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 nd}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month in that year. And it was the 17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 day in that month. Then all the water rushed up from the seas, which were great and deep. And rain poured down from the skies. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
It rained for 40 days and 40 nights.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On that same day, Noah entered the *ark. He took with him his three sons, called Shem, Ham and Japheth. He took also his wife and his sons\rquote
three wives. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There was every kind of wild animal and there was every kind of *cattle. There was every kind of thing that craw
ls on the earth. And there was every sort of bird. They all entered the *ark too. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They went into the *ark with Noah. There were pairs of all *creatures that have life in them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
All those were male and female *creatures from all the kinds that were living. And they went into the *ark, as God had given the command to Noah. And then the *Lord shut Noah in.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The flood continued for 40 days on the earth. The waters got higher. They rose high above the earth and the *ark floated upon them. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The waters rose and they increased greatly on the earth. But the *ark floated on top of the waters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A very huge amount of water came upon the earth. So then all the high mountains under the whole sky were under the water. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A very huge amount of water came over the mountains. So then the mountains were under 15 *cubits of water. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
All *creatures that were living before died. All that had moved upon the earth died. That included birds, *cattle and wild animals. It included all *creatures that moved in large groups on the earth. And it included every person. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Everything on dry land died. They had all had breath in their nostrils (holes in the nose). That is, breath that had made them live. But they died. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God completely took away from the earth every *creature that was alive. That means everything that was on the surface of the ground. It included people and animals. It included *creatures that crawl. And it included birds. God took them away completely f
rom the earth. Only a few people remained. Noah remained. And those with him in the *ark remained.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the waters flooded the earth for 150 days.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 God saved Noah and his family because Noah was *righteous. But the flood killed all the wicked people. This
reminds us that God will be the judge of everyone. But God is not like a human judge. We cannot impress God by our efforts. And it does not matter whether we are rich or poor. But he will save us if, like Noah, we please him. We shall please him if we ar
e
*righteous. We do not become *righteous by our own efforts. We can only become *righteous because of what Jesus did for us. Jesus died to save us from the punishment for our *sins. So we must confess our *sins to God. And we must invite him into our live
s.
\par God also rescued animals of all types. He arranged that they would come to Noah. The flood did not begin until they were all safely in the *ark.
\par This chapter does not mention the reaction of the people before they died in the flood. 2 Peter 2:5 shows tha
t Noah warned them. But Jesus said that they were just carrying on their usual behaviour (Matthew 24:37-39). One day, they were eating and drinking. And they were merry. But then the flood came and God punished them. Jesus added that people will act in th
e same way before his return. They will continue their evil lives. But then Jesus will return. When he returns, he will be their judge. Jesus\rquote
return gives hope to everyone who trusts him. But it will be a terrible event for everyone who opposes him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303
Verse 1 The writer often reminds us that God gave commands to Noah. Also, the writer tells us that Noah obeyed God. Noah was good. (In other words, he was *righteous.) That does not mean that he was perfect. It means that he believed God. And
it means that Noah obeyed God.
\par Verse 2 \lquote Clean animals\rquote . God gave strict rules about which animals people could *sacrifice. And he was strict about which animals they could eat. Those animals were called \lquote clean animals\rquote . But there were other animals that p
eople must not *sacrifice. And they should not eat these animals. These animals were called \lquote *unclean animals\rquote .
\par Verse 4 \lquote 40 days and 40 nights\rquote . That sometimes means just a long time. Here, however, it may mean the exact time. The writer gives many other exact details.
\par Verse 9 \lquote Male and female\rquote . Noah kept the animals as pairs. Everything was in order.
\par Verse 11 Water came from both the seas and the sky. In *Hebrew, the writer says that the windows in the sky opened. It was something more than normal rain.
\par Verse 16 The *Lord shut Noah in. The *Lord sometimes punishes, but he can also save people.
\par Verse 20 The waters of the flood were so very deep that they covered everything on the earth. Nothing stayed above the water except the *ark. And only those who were inside the *ark stayed alive after the flood.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 8
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 People begin to live on the earth again, 8:1-22
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But God remembered Noah. And God remembered all the wild animals and *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 cattle}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 that were with Noah. They were with Noah in the *ark. And God made a win
d blow over the earth. And the waters went down. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God stopped the waters that were rushing up from the seas. He stopped the waters that were pouring down from the sky. He stopped the rain. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
All the time, the waters were going down. After 150 days, the waters had gone down. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the 17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}
{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 day in the 7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month, the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 rested. It rested on the mountains called Ararat. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The waters were still going down until the 10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month. Then Noah could see the tops of the mountains. That was on the 1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 st}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 day in the 10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After 40 days, Noah opened the window. That is, the window of the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 that he had made. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
He sent out a raven (a fairly large black bird). The raven continued to fly about until later, when the waters had gone. It flew about until the earth was dry. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Then Noah sent out a *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 . Noah needed to know whether the waters had gone down. He needed to know whether the earth was dry. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
did not find any dry place to settle on. It came back to the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 because the waters still cove
red all the earth. Noah put out his hand and he brought the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 back into the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 . }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah waited for 7 more days and then again he sent out the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 from the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 . }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 came back to Noah in the evening. It had a fresh leaf in its mouth. It h
ad picked the leaf from an *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 olive}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 tree. Then Noah knew that the waters had gone down from the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then he waited for 7 more days and he sent the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 out again. The *}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 dove}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 did not come back again.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In Noah\rquote s 601}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 st}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
year, the waters had dried off the earth. That was on the 1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 st}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 day in the 1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 st}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month. Noah took the cover off the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 and he looked. Look! The ground\rquote s surface was dry. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the 27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 day in the 2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\super\insrsid16530303 nd}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 month, the earth was completely dry.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said to Noah, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \rquote
Go out of the *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 ark.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I say that to you and your wife. And I say it to your sons and your sons\rquote wives. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Take with you all the *creatures that live. Take all the kinds of *creatures that are with you. Take the birds and animals. And take every *creature that crawls on the ear
th. Then they will have large families and those will give birth to very many young *creatures. So then they will live everywhere on the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Noah went out, with his sons, his wife and his sons\rquote wives. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Every animal went out. Every *creature that crawls went out. And every bird went out. Everything that moves on the earth went out. They all went out as families from the *ark.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Noah built an *altar for the *Lord\rquote
s honour. Noah took some animals out of every kind of *clean animal. He took some birds out of every kind of *clean bird. And he offered *sacrifices that he burned on the *altar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When the *Lord smelled the smell, the *Lord was pleased. And the *Lord said in himself, \lquote
I will never again *curse the ground because of people. People are evil even when they are young. People want bad things and they think bad things. I punished every *creature that lived. But I will never again do that, as I did then.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Wh
ile the earth exists, these things will not stop. People will sow and they will harvest. It will be cold and hot. There will be summer and winter. There will be day and night. It will always be so.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is a beautiful chapter. The terrible flood had destroyed the world that Noah knew. And Noah\rquote
s *ark (boat) was floating on the water. Noah might have been afraid. But this is not a story of despair. It is a story of hope. God had not forgotten the *ark and its inhabitants. God remembered Noah. And Noah trusted God.
\par At last, the rain stopped. And slowly, the level of the water went down. First, Noah felt that the *ark\rquote s movement stopped. After some time, Noah could see the tops of the mountains. The mountains seemed bare, without any plants. But then plants st
arted to grow again. It was as if God was creating a new world.
\par Each week, Noah carefully recorded the progress of the waters. He sent out birds so that he would know the situation. At last, God told Noah to leave the *ark. God would be kind to Noah and hi
s family. And God would be kind to the animals and birds that left the *ark. They were few in number. But their numbers would increase.
\par Noah was grateful to God. Although there were only a few animals, Noah gave some animals as *sacrifices to God.
\par Noah wanted to please God, like Abel in Genesis 4:4. And God was pleased with Noah. God knew that people were still *sinful (Genesis 8:21). God\rquote
s plan was that Jesus would die in order to forgive their *sins. But God made a promise to Noah. God promised to protect the earth. He will make sure that seasons and days continue. And this promise lasts until the end of the world.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 1 \lquote Remembered Noah\rquote means \lquote took care of Noah\rquote . Many things in this story remind us about God\rquote s *creation. Before God
created the earth, God\rquote s Spirit moved gently over the water. And here God made a wind blow over the water. In *Hebrew, the same word means both \lquote spirit\rquote and \lquote wind\rquote
. In *creation, God had gathered waters together above the earth. He had gathered waters together in the seas. And here, after the flood, God collected water together again.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303
3 The writer of this story tells us the days when things happened. He tells us how long things took. He often tells us that the water was going down. That reminds us that there was a lot of water. It was a very big flood.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303
5 The waters were going down all the time. But at first, Noah could not see this. Noah was only able to see this after several weeks passed. God does things to help us. But he is often doing them for a long time before we know it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303
7 A raven is a fairly large black bird. It can fly for a long time before it gets tired. One raven went out and it did not come back. We believe that the first raven lived outside until its companion came out later.
\par Ravens eat meat from dead animals. Many animals died in the flood. So, there was plenty of food for the raven.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Noah probably waited seven days before he sent out the *dove. He did wait 7 more days before he sent it out again. The writer says that i
n verse 10.
\par Unlike ravens, *doves do not eat meat from dead animals. *Doves need plants. So we can see that the plants had not yet grown.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 9 In the original *Hebrew story, some words sound like the name \lquote Noah\rquote . Those are the words for \lquote *dove\rquote and \lquote
place to rest\rquote . Noah had so many *creatures to look after. But even so, he still cared about the *dove.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 10 Noah may have considered the 7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\cgrid0\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\cgrid0\insrsid16530303 day in a week as special. There is some evidence for that. He sent the birds out at certain times. The interval between those times was 7 days. An *olive tree has a special meaning. If something is \lquote like an *olive tree
\rquote , that thing is beautiful and *fruitful. We can read in the Bible that Israel will be \lquote like an *olive tree\rquote (Hosea 14:6).
\par It seems that this *olive tree did not die during the flood. And now it was growing again.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 14 The earth had to be dry enough for all the *creatures to live there. Noah had to make sure that it was dry enough.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 17 When God created everything, he also gave this command. He s
aid that *creatures should have large families. And they should grow in number. It was very necessary at that time, when only a few *creatures were living on the earth. And when God created people, he said the same thing to them. But today the situation i
s different. God allows some people to have large families. But this is not God\rquote s plan for everyone. Today, very many people live on the earth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 20 The writer does not tell us that Noah built *altars before the flood. And he does not tell us that Noah
*sacrificed animals then. But Noah had probably done those things already. He did them immediately after he came out from the *ark. He knew which animals he should *sacrifice to please the *Lord. In other religions, too, there are stories about a flood. S
o
me things in those stories are the same as they are in Genesis. But the important things are very different. We can read these things in Genesis only. There is one God, who has power over everything. He is good and he is a fair judge. And he loves people.
Noah, the man that stayed alive after the flood, was a good man. He obeyed God. Only the writer of the Book of Genesis tells us about those things.
\par Verse 21 It seemed like a new world. But people were still evil. Everybody does evil things. Only God can forgive us, because of Jesus. See Romans 3:23-24.
\par Verse 22 God gave a wonderful promise. Because Noah obeyed God, God changed the world.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 9
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And God *blessed Noah and his sons. And God said this to them. \lquote Have very many children and *descendants. And live everywhere on the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Every *creature that lives will be afraid of you. That includes every animal on the earth. It includes every bird that flies in the air. It includes all *creatures that crawl on the ground. And it includes the fish in the
sea. I have given everything to you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Every thing that lives shall be food for you. That is, every thing that also moves. I gave the green plants to you for food. Now I give everything to you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, you must not eat meat that still has its life in it. That is, it still has its blood in it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When somebody kills someone, there must be punishment. Someone will kill any animal that kills a person. Someone will kill any person that kills another person. Every person that kills his brother will die.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If someone kills a person, then people should kill the killer. That is because God made man like himself.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And I say this to you. Have large families and have many *descendants. Spread over the earth and live everywhere on it.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\cgrid0\insrsid16530303
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said this to Noah. And God said it to Noah\rquote s sons, who were with Noah.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \rquote Look! I am *confirming my}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 *}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 covenant}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 with }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 you. And it is also a *covenant with your *descendants, who will live after you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And it is a *covenant with every *creature that is with you. That is, every *creature that lives on the earth. That includes birds, *cattle and wild animals. It includes everything that came out of the *ark.
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I am *confirming my *covenant with you. Never again will I send the waters of a flood to
completely destroy everything. I will never again kill all that is alive. Never again will I send a flood to destroy the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said, \lquote This is the thing that will especially remind you about the *covenant. I have made that *covenant between me
and you. And it is also between me and every *creature with you. That is, every *creature that lives. The *covenant will be for always. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I put my rainbow in the cloud. The rainbow shall be something that especially reminds you about the *covenant. That is, the *covenant between me and the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 I will bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow will appear in the clouds. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then I will remember my *covenant, which is between me and you. And it is between me and every *creature from all kinds. That is, every *creature that lives. Never again will I send enough water to kill all *creatures. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When the rainbow is in the clouds, I will look at it. I will remember the *covenant that I, God, have made with every *creature. That means every *creature th
at lives upon earth, from all kinds. That *covenant will last for always.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said to Noah, \lquote
This thing will especially remind you about the *covenant. I have made that *covenant between me and all *creatures. That is, all *creatures that live on the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah\rquote s sons, who went out from the *ark, were Shem, Ham and Japheth. Ham was Canaan\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those three were Noah\rquote s sons. Those sons\rquote *descendants spread all over the earth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah was a man that worked on the land. He was the first person that made a vineyard (a garden where *grapes grow). }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah drank some *wine and he became *drunk. He lay in his tent and he was naked. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Ham saw his naked father Noah. (Ham was Canaan\rquote s father.) Ham went outside and he told his two brothers about it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Shem and Japheth took a *cloak. And they laid it upon the shoulders of them both. They walked *backward and they covered their naked father with the *cloak. They turned their faces away so that they did not see their naked father.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Later Noah woke and he was not *drunk any longer. Then he discovered what his youngest son had done. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So he said, \lquote Canaan has a *curse. He will be his brother\rquote s slave. He will have a lower position than any other slave.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah also said, \lquote Let people *bless the *Lord, who is Shem\rquote s God. Let Canaan be Shem\rquote s slave. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let God make Japheth increase. Let Japheth live in Shem\rquote s tents. Let Canaan be Japheth\rquote s slave.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah lived 350 more years after the flood. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
His whole life lasted for 950 years. Then he died.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God is perfect. But people often do wrong things.
\par God\rquote s *covenant (agreement) with Noah reminds us about the wrong things that we do. It is not like God\rquote s words to the first people in Genesis 1:28-30. God spoke those words before people *sinned. And he only promised good things then.
\par But God made the *covenant with Noah after people had *sinned. This *covenant promised many good things to people. But God also warned people in the *covenant. He spoke about
murder. He warned people that they would be responsible for their evil behaviour. And he warned them that God would punish them for their evil deeds.
\par People would be evil. But God is kind. He promised never again to flood the whole world. And he used the rainbow to remind people about this promise.
\par Noah was a great servant of God. And Noah was a *righteous man. But Noah was not perfect. He did something that was very wrong. He drank too much wine. His son, called Ham, saw him. And Ham gossiped. This was ter
rible behaviour. He did not respect his father, although his father was a great servant of God. When Noah awoke, he spoke words about the future of his three sons. Noah spoke these words by the Holy Spirit, because Noah was a servant of God. Ham\rquote
s family would suffer because of Ham\rquote s *sin. But Noah *blessed his other sons.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God makes a *covenant with Noah, 9:1-17
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 \lquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Have very many children and *descendants.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 \rquote
God said that also when he made people in the beginning. And he said the same words in *Hebrew when he made *creatures. Those words mean \lquote have large families\rquote . But they also mean \lquote be useful\rquote and \lquote be helpful\rquote
. They mean, \lquote Be other people\rquote s servant. Do not expect other people to serve you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Here, God seems to give to people more power over the *creatures. That is, more power than he gave earlier to Adam and Eve.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Here, God permits people to eat meat as well as vegetables and fruit.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 God did not allow people to kill other people. If they did kill other people, t
hey would be punished. He did not allow people to eat meat with blood in it. In that way, he reminded them that life is important. Life is \lquote *holy\rquote . God has made us like an image of himself. So we must not kill other people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 5-7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 God\rquote s punishment was
fair. If there was a murder, people should kill the murderer only. In many places, families might fight each other because somebody had murdered someone from the other family. And they might kill each other because of that. Such a situation might continue
for a very long time. But God did not say that that should happen.
\par Verses 8-11 God had made an agreement (*covenant) with Noah before the flood. He told Noah about it again here, because it was very important. God included all *creatures in the agreement. People must take care of God\rquote s earth and God\rquote
s *creatures.
\par Verses 12-17 This does not mean that there were no rainbows before. But rainbows now have a new meaning. God\rquote s agreement was with all the people and animals in the entire world. And the rainbow was a sign of that agreement.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah and his son do something wrong, 9:18-29
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Verse 20 \lquote A man that worked on the land\rquote . Noah was the master of the earth. After the flood, he became a farmer. He grew grapes (small, sweet fruit) that he made into *wine.
\par Verse 21 T
he writer does not hide from us the fact that Noah was not perfect. When he was naked like that, he was not giving honour to God. We can read in the Bible that *wine can be pleasant (Psalm 104:15). But we can see here that too much *wine is not good.
\par Verse 22 People should respect their parents. Ham should have covered his father. Then Ham should have said nothing. But he gossiped to his brothers. It is not certain whether Ham\rquote
s son Canaan *sinned too. It was Canaan that suffered as a result. God would later promise to bring his people (Shem\rquote
s *descendants) to a new country that was also called Canaan. The *Canaanites, the people that would live there first, would be Canaan\rquote s *descendants. And they would be very wicked. Some people think that Ham did not jus
t look at his father. They think that Ham did something worse than that. Some people think that he had some sort of sex with his father. But it is not necessary to think that. Ham did not respect his father, and in that way Ham *sinned.
\par Verse 23 Shem and Japheth respected their father. They were careful to look away from him as they covered him. A \lquote cloak\rquote
was a large piece of warm cloth. People wore it on top of other clothes during the day. And they used it as a blanket at night.
\par Verses 24-25 Noah spoke about the future of his sons by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, this was not just Noah\rquote s idea. This was a message from God. We do not know when Ham\rquote s *descendants became his two brothers\rquote
slaves. But we do know that Canaan\rquote s *descendants became very evil. In fact, they were so evil that God gave their land to Abraham\rquote s *descendants. And God helped Abraham\rquote s *descendants to overcome Canaan\rquote
s *descendants. (See the Book of Joshua.)
\par Verse 26 One would expect Noah to say \lquote I *bless Shem, the *Lord\rquote s man.\rquote It is not usual to \lquote *bless the *Lord of a person\rquote
. But it might mean that Shem was the son that God *blessed in particular. And Noah was *blessing God especially because he (God) was Shem\rquote s God. Shem\rquote s *descendants were the people that God chose specially for hi
mself. Abraham and his *descendants (Israel) were among Shem\rquote s *descendants.
\par Verse 27 Let God \lquote make Japheth increase\rquote . The *Hebrew word for \lquote Let him make bigger\rquote sounds like the name Japheth. It does not mean that Japheth would get fat! It means \lquote Let Japheth\rquote
s *descendants increase in number and let them be more powerful.\rquote It is not clear what Noah was praying. Maybe he prayed that God would \lquote live in Shem\rquote s tents\rquote
. Or maybe he prayed that Japheth would live in them. God did actually \lquote live in the tents\rquote of Shem\rquote
s *descendants (Israel). That was because God chose that nation for himself. But this seems to be a peculiar *blessing for Japheth. Probably Noah was saying that Japheth would live in Shem\rquote s tents. But we cannot discover when this happened. Ma
ny people have suggested different times. This is one possible meaning. People that were not *Jews would live together with *Jews. That would happen by means of what Jesus did. (See Ephesians 2:11-19.) Noah repeated his words about Canaan again. That show
ed how important they were.
\par Verses 28-29 Noah lived a long life. God would not allow people in the future to live such long lives.}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 10
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Noah\rquote
s sons were Shem, Ham and Japheth. This is their families\rquote history. They had sons after the flood.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Japheth\rquote s sons were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Gomer\rquote s sons were Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Javan\rquote
s sons were Elishah, Tarshish, the people called Kittim and the people called Dodanim. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The nations spread along the coasts
from those families. Each nation got its own language.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ham\rquote s sons were Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Cush\rquote s sons were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca. Raamah\rquote s sons were Sheba and Dedan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Cush was also Nimrod\rquote s father. Nimrod began to be a powerful man on the earth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He was a powerful hunter. The *Lord could see what Nimrod was doing. Therefore people often say, \lquote like Nimrod, who is a powerful hunter. The *Lord can see what Nimrod is doing.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The beginning of Nimrod\rquote s *kingdom consisted of Babel, Erech and Accad. Those are all in the country called Shinar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 From Shinar, Nimrod went into Assyria. He built Nineveh, Rehoboth-Ir, Calah and Resen. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Resen is between Nineveh and Calah. That is the great city.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Egypt was the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Pathrusim, Casluhim, and Caphtorim. The *Philistines came from Casluhim\rquote s family.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Canaan was the father of Sidon, his oldest son. Canaan was also the father of Heth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He was also the father of the people called Jebusites, *Amorites, Girgashites, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Hivites, Arkites, Sinites, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Arvadites, Zemarites and Hamathites.
\par Later the families that came from Canaan scattered. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the country of those people spread from Sidon up to Gerar. It spread as far as Gaza. An
d it spread towards Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, as far as Lasha.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those are Ham\rquote s sons in their families, languages, countries and nations.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shem also had children. Shem was Japheth\rquote s older brother. Shem was the *ancestor of all Eber\rquote s children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shem\rquote s sons were Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud and Aram. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Aram\rquote s sons were Uz, Hul, Gether and Mash. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Arpachshad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Eber had two sons. One son was called Peleg because the earth be
came divided during his life. Peleg\rquote s brother was called Joktan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joktan was the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ophir, Havilah and Jobab. All those were Joktan\rquote s sons.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They lived in a country that spread from Mesha toward Sephar. It spread to the hilly country in the east. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those are Shem\rquote s sons in their families, languages, countries and nations.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those are the *descendants of Noah\rquote s sons. The *descendants are in their f
amilies and they are in their nations. From those people, the nations scattered over the earth. That happened after the flood.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 A new part of Genesis starts here. People\rquote s life on the earth was starting again after the flood.
\par The actual names are not very i
mportant to us. But they do show that this account is true. These people were real. They actually lived. The account shows how quickly new families were born. And it shows how quickly they grew up. Some names here are probably places\rquote
names rather than people\rquote s names. People did not stay close together. They moved to new places and they became many nations.
\par In this list here, we read that Japheth had 7 sons and 7 grandsons. Cush\rquote s sons and grandsons together were 7 in total. (That does not include Cush\rquote s ot
her son Nimrod, whom the writer talks about separately.) The writer mentions 70 nations as *descendants of Noah\rquote s sons. People often used the number 70 to mean a large number. And 7 was a \lquote special\rquote number too.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Japheth\rquote s family, 10:2-5
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 The writer begins with Japheth\rquote s sons and grandsons. Their names show us that their families moved north, towards Europe. And they moved round the sea called the Mediterranean.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ham\rquote s family, 10:6-20
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \cgrid0\insrsid16530303 Ham\rquote s family moved towards the south and into North Africa. Canaan was the original name of the country that became Israel. So Canaan\rquote s *descendants are important to the history in the Bible. But Ham
\rquote s *descendants lived across a much larger area.
\par Nimrod\rquote s *descendants were especially powerful. Babylon would become the greatest city in the world for a short time. And Nineveh was also a very powerful city.
\par Verse 12 mentions \lquote the great city\rquote . It is not clear whether that means Nineveh or Calah. It seems as if it is Calah. But in the Book of Jonah, Nineveh is called a \lquote great city\rquote .
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shem\rquote s family, 10:21-32
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shem\rquote s family comes last in this chapter, although his name comes first in verse 1. We do not know why that is so. Perhaps it is because the Book of Genesis continues with the story of Shem\rquote s *descendants.
\par Many of Shem\rquote s *descendants moved east. But this list also contains the names of places that are elsewhere.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 11
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *tower in Babel shows that people are proud, 11:1-4
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
All the people on the earth had one language and they had one set of words. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When people moved to the east, they found a plain in the country called Shinar. And they stayed there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These people said to each other, \lquote Come! Let us make bricks. And let us bake them hard.\rquote
So they used bricks as stones to build with. And they used bitumen (black stuff from the ground) in order to stick the bricks together. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then they said, \lquote Come! Let us build a city for ourselves. Let us build a tower (tall, narrow building) with its top in the sky. We will make ourselves great. Then we shall not scatter over all the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord came down to see the city. And he came to see the *tower that the people were building. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said, \lquote
Look! They are all one group of people. They all have the same language. This is only the beginning of what the people will do. They will be able to do everything that they plan to do. Nothing is impossible. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Come! Let us go down. We will mix up the people\rquote s language. Then they will not be able to understand each other.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord scattered them from there over all the earth. And they stopped building the city. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the city was called Babel because there, God mixed up the language of all the people on the earth. From there, God scattered them over all the earth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is the history of Shem\rquote s family. When Shem was 100 years old, he became Arpachshad\rquote s father. That was two years after the flood. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Arpachshad was born, Shem lived for 500 more years. Shem had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Arpachshad had lived for 35 years, he became Shelah\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After Shelah was born, Arpachshad lived for 430 more years. Arpachshad had other sons and daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When S
helah had lived for 30 years, he became Eber\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After Eber was born, Shelah lived for 430 more years. Shelah had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Eber had lived for 34 years, he became Peleg\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Eber lived for 430 more years and he had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Peleg had lived for 30 years, he became Reu\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Peleg lived for 209 more years and he had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Reu had lived for 32 years, he became Serug\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Reu lived for 207 more years and he had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Serug had lived for 30 years, he became Nahor\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Serug lived for 200 more years and he had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Nahor had lived for 29 years, he became Terah\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Nahor lived for 119 more years and he had other sons and daughters.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Terah had lived for 70 years, he became Abram\rquote s, Nahor\rquote s and Haran\rquote s father.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is the history of Terah\rquote s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran was Lot\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Haran died in the city called Ur. That was in the country where the people called Chaldeans lived. It was the country where Haran was born. Haran\rquote
s father Terah was still alive. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram and Nahor both married. Abram\rquote s wife was called Sarai and Nahor\rquote
s wife was called Milcah. Milcah was Haran\rquote s daughter. Haran was both Milcah\rquote s and Iscah\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Sarai was *barren. That means that she had no children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot (Haran\rquote s son), and his son\rquote s (Abram\rquote
s) wife Sarai. Together they went out from Ur, where the people called Chaldeans lived. They planned to go to the country called Canaan. But when they came to the city called Haran, they settled there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Terah\rquote s whole life lasted 205 years. He died in Haran.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All the people spoke the same language because they were all Noah\rquote s *descendants. And they wanted to live together. They were proud. They wanted to be more powerful. So they built a great city.
\par But God had not told people to live together. He told them to move across the world (Genesis 9:1) so that the whole world would have inhabitants. So the people were not obeying God\rquote s commands. In fact, they were trying to oppose God.
\par God did not allow them to continue the construction of that city. He confused their languages and he ended their unity. They could not talk with each other. So they had to move to different places.
\par The chapter continues with the story of Shem\rquote s family. People\rquote s lives began to be shorter now. At last, the writer mentio
ns Abram. Abram was different from other people because Abram believed God. This fact may not seem important when we have discussed the history of the whole world. But, for the writer of the Book of Genesis, this fact was vital. The Book of Genesis always
concentrates on the lives of people who please God. Already, we have read about Abel, Enoch and Noah. And Abram would join the list of men who pleased God. Their lives had a vast effect on the relationship between people and God. God said that all the peo
ple in the world would receive a *blessing by means of Abram (Genesis 12:3).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 2 People moved \lquote to the east\rquote . Or that may mean \lquote in the east\rquote . Earlier, the *Lord sent Cain away. And then Cain too went towards the east.
\par Verse 3 \lquote Bitumen\rquote is a black stuff that people get from the ground. At that time, people started to use it like cement. They stuck bricks together with it. Today, people use it as a surface for roads.
\par Verse 4 The people did not ask what the *Lord wanted. They wanted to build for themselves. They were not building this city in order to bring honour to God. They wanted to be famous themselves.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God makes new languages and he scatters people, 11:5-9
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 5 The *Lord showed how great he is. People thought that they could reach
up to the sky. They thought that God was in the sky. But God came down to the earth to see their *tower. When we compare the *tower with God, it was very small. And it was not very important, because God is so great. It is God who makes people great. We
cannot make ourselves great in God\rquote
s opinion. People think that they are great and powerful. But God is in control. He confused their language and he scattered them. So, he stopped the people before they could become more evil. He stopped them before they could make more trouble.
\par The writer has told the story about the *tower in Babel in very easy language. He uses many words that sound like other words. Some parts of God\rquote s reply sound very like the people\rquote s speech. But God\rquote s reply means something very diffe
rent. After Adam and Eve had *sinned, they could not talk }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 with God}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 as easily as before. Now, people could not talk }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 to each other}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 easily.
\par Verse 9 \lquote Babel\rquote means \lquote confused\rquote .
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shem\rquote s family (Abram\rquote s *ancestors), 11:10-32
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 10-26 \lquote The history of Shem\rquote s family\rquote . People\rquote s exact ages here are not clear, but that is not very important. This history of Shem\rquote
s family may not be complete. Some people may be grandsons rather than sons. Again, it is important to see that this is a story about real people. We can compare it with the account about Adam\rquote
s family. (Look at Genesis chapter 5.) We can see that the people in Shem\rquote s family were younger when they had children. And they did not live as long. In Genesis 6:3, God said that he would place a limit on the length of people\rquote s lives.
\par In verse 26, Abram, Nahor and Haran were born at different times.
\par Here, the story about Abram begins. Abram was the father of the family that God chose specially. Abram\rquote s brother was called Haran. And also the place where Terah stayed to live was called Haran.
\par Genesis 11:27 to 12:9 These verses are very important. They show how God was making his plan happen for people. He chose Abram\rquote s family as his special family. Then he chose the nation of the *Jews. Then he did something special f
or all nations. God was a friend to Abram. And God made special promises to Abram and his family. Here we also read about the country that the *Lord promised to Abram.
\par Verse 27 Haran was probably Terah\rquote s oldest son. It seems that Abram was looking after Lot.
\par Verse 29 Sarai was Abram\rquote s half-sister (Genesis 20:12). In other words, Sarai and Abram had the same father (Terah), but Sarai\rquote s mother was not Abram\rquote s mother. Later, God forbade men to marry a half-sister. Nahor married his brother
\rquote s daughter. God never forbade that.
\par Verse 30 At that time, if a woman had no children, she was very sad. And sometimes people thought that the woman should be ashamed because of that. God sometimes made women be without children because they had *sinned (Genesis 20:18). Howev
er, there are also several women like Sarai, Hannah and Elizabeth in the Bible. They did not have any children for a long time, but God *blessed them.
\par Verse 32 Abram probably left Haran many years before Terah died. Terah was not a part of God\rquote s plan for Abram and his *descendants. For that reason, the writer tells us that Terah died in Haran.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 12
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God calls Abram, 12:1-9
\par Abram leaves Haran
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said to Abram, \lquote
Go from your country, your *tribe and your father\rquote s house. Go to the country that I shall show you.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will make you into a great nation. I will *bless you and I will make your name great. I will *bless other people, too, because of you. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will *bless those that *bless you. And I will *curse anyone that does not respect you. I will *bless all the families on the earth, because I *bless you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abram went, as the *Lord had told him. And Lot went with him. Abram was 75 years old when he left Haran. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram took with him his wife Sarai and his brother\rquote s son Lot. He also took the
slaves. And he took everything that he had got in Haran. They left to go to the country called Canaan. And they arrived at Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And Abram went through the country. He went as far as the place called Shechem. He came to the *oak there that was called
Moreh. The *Canaanites (Canaan\rquote s *descendants) owned the country at that time. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram saw the *Lord. And the *Lord said to him, \lquote
I shall give this country to your *descendants.\rquote Then Abram built an *altar for the *Lord\rquote s honour. Abram built it where he had seen the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 From there, Abram moved his camp. He went to the hills that are east from Bethel. He put up his tent between Bethel and Ai. There he built an *altar for the *Lord\rquote
s honour. Abram built it where he had seen the *Lord. And he prayed to the *Lord there. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abram went on towards the area called the Negev.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God had a wonderful plan for Abram and his *descendants. So, God told Abram to leave his home and his father\rquote s family. Abram did not know where he was going. But he trusted God. So, Abram set out on his journey.
\par God promised that Abram\rquote s *descendants would become a great nation. Abram did not know how this could happen. His wife, Sarai, had no children. But Abram trusted that God could make this happen.
\par God also promised that Abram, by his *descendant, would *bless everyone in the world. This was a great promise. Again, Abram did not realise how this would happen. But perhaps he knew about God\rquote
s promise to Eve in Genesis 3:15. Today, of course, we know about Jesus. He died so that God would forgive our *sin. Because of Jesus, everyone who trusts him becomes a friend of God. But Abram did not know about such things. He just heard God\rquote
s promise. He trusted God. So he obeyed God.
\par But Abram was not a perfect man. He did not always trust God
completely. Soon, there would not be enough food. Abram did not stay in the place where God had taken him. Instead, he went elsewhere. And there was trouble for Abram in that other place, because Abram was not completely honest. It seems that he preferre
d to trust his own clever ideas. Instead, he should have continued to trust God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 The *Hebrew word here for \lquote nation\rquote is the one that the *Jews used for the Gentile nations. (That is, all the nations that were not *Jews.) So, the w
ord meant a large group of people that had a government and a country. It was not just a \lquote *tribe\rquote that spoke the same language.
\par God chose Abram. And God called Abram to leave his home. Abram did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:9). But he still trusted God.
\par Verses 2-3 Only God can make someone\rquote s name great. The men at Babel tried to make themselves great, but they failed. The *Hebrew words here are words that could describe a king. Later, Abram was called a prince. And Sarai was called \lquote
the mother of kings\rquote . Abram was not really a king or a prince. But he became an important man. And kings would be among his *descendants.
\par Abram could only give a *blessing to other people if he left Haran. God *blessed him so that he (Abram) could *bless other people.
\par God\rquote s *blessing is for all. It is not just for the *Israelites. Later, Laban said to Jacob, \lquote God has *blessed me because of you\rquote
(Genesis 30:27). God *blessed the *household of Potiphar the *Egyptian because of Joseph (Genesis 39:5). The people in Egypt got food during the *famine because of Joseph. It was not only Jacob and his family that got food.
\par This promise was not just for Abram. It was also for his *descendants, called the *Israelites. Balaam repeated this promise when he was speaking about the *Israelites in Numbers 24:9. But especially, this promise was about Abram\rquote
s greatest *descendant (Galatians 3:16). The Bible has already spoken about this *descendant in Genesis 3:15. This *descendant would destroy the power of *sin and of the devil. This *des
cendant is Jesus (Matthew 1:1). And, by his death, Jesus frees people so that they become the sons of God (Galatians 4:4-7). And this *blessing, that we receive by means of Jesus, is for people from all nations (Ephesians 2:11-13).
\par Verses 4-5 Abram left home. God guided him. And Abram arrived at the country called Canaan.
\par Verse 7 Abram built an *altar for God\rquote s honour. But some *ancestors of Abram had built a city or *tower for their own honour! Abram built the *altar and he prayed to God. His *worship included work as well as words.
\par Verses 8-9 Abram continued to travel through the land that God was giving to him. And Abram was grateful. He built another *altar.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram and Sarai in Egypt, 12:10-20
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 10-20 Abram left the country that God had promised to him. Abram went to Egypt because he needed food. God would have taken care of Abram where he was. But Abram could not believe that.
\par We remember Abram because, especially, he trusted God. But Abram had to learn how to trust God. And Abram made some serious mistakes as he learned.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1
\af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There was a very bad *famine in the country called Canaan. So Abram went down to Egypt in order to stay there. He went to Egypt because there was no food in Canaan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 When Abram was near Egypt, he said this to his wife Sarai: \lquote I know that you are a beautiful woman. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The people who live in Egypt will see you. Then they will say, \'93This is Abram\rquote s wife.\'94 Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Say that you are my sister. Then they will act well towards me because of you. They will let me live because of you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abram entered Egypt. And people saw that the woman was very beautiful. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh\rquote s princes saw her. Then they told *Pharaoh how beautiful she was. So *Pharaoh took the woman into his palace. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Because of Sarai, *Pharaoh was very kind to Abram. *Pharaoh gave him sheep, *oxen, *donkeys, slaves (male and female) and camels. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But God made *Pharaoh and his *household very ill because of Sarai, Abram\rquote s wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So *Pharaoh called Abram and *Pharaoh said this: \lquote
You have done an evil thing to me. You should have told me that she was your wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You should not have said, \'93She is my sister.\'94
I took her as my wife because you said that. Here she is. Take your wife and go away.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
*Pharaoh ordered his men to send Abram away with his wife and possessions.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 10 The country called Canaan did not have regular rain. Often, there was not enough food there. Egypt was flatter and the River Nile provided water.
\par Later, the *Israelites went to Egypt because there was not enough food in Canaan (Genesis 47:4). So, perhaps people in Canaan often had to go to Egypt in order to buy food.
\par Verses 11-13 Abram thought that he needed to lie in order to protect himself. We can see that Abram was not trusting God. Abram\rquote
s story was partly true. Sarai and Abram had the same father but different mothers. But Abram was pretending that Sarai and Abram were not married. So the story was still a lie.
\par Verses 14-15 Abram was right. Sarai was attractive. *Pharaoh believed that Sarai was Abram\rquote s sister. So, *Pharaoh took her as a wife (verse 19).
\par Abram got rich because of this situation, but *Pharaoh suffered from plagues. (Plagues are very bad things that affe
ct very many people. They include diseases and large quantities of insects.) In that way, God showed that he punishes *sinners. They may not know that they are *sinning. But even then, God punishes them. *Pharaoh knew that *adultery was wrong. He saw that
God was *blessing Abram.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 13
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram and Lot separate, 13:1-18
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Abram went up from Egypt. He took his wife with him. And he took everything that they had. Lot went with them to the area called the Negev. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abram was very rich. He had a lot of *cattle, silver and gold.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abram travelled from the Negev to Bethel. He stopped sometimes on the way. Then he went beyond Bethel towards Ai. That was the place where he had had his tent at the beginning. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 That was where he had made an *altar before. There Abram *worshipped the *Lord.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lot, who was with Abram, also had *flocks, *herds and tents. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 When Abram and Lot were together, there were a lot of people and animals. The land could not produce enough to keep them all alive. Abram and Lot owned so much that they could not live near each other. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Some *herdsmen looked after Abram\rquote s *cattle and some *herdsmen looked after Lot\rquote
s *cattle. And there were quarrels between those two groups of *herdsmen. The people called *Canaanites and Perizzites were living in that part of Canaan then.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abram said to Lot, \lquote We are men and we belong to the same family. So we must not argue, nor must our *herdsmen quarrel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Here is the whole country. Go away from me. If you go to the left, I shall go to the right. If you go to the right, I shall go to the left.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Lot looked round. He saw the plain in valley of the Jordan River. It spread as far as Zoar. It was a very good place to grow crops. And Lot saw that. It was like the *Lord\rquote s garden and it was like the co
untry called Egypt. That was before the *Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Lot chose all the plain in the valley of the Jordan River. He chose that for himself. Therefore Lot went east, so that he and Abram were not together. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Abram lived in the country called Canaan. But Lot lived among the cities on the plain. And he put up his tents close to Sodom. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Now the men in Sodom were evil and they *sinned greatly against the *Lord.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord spoke to Abram, after Lot had gone away from him. The *Lord said, \lquote
Look about you. Look from there, where you are. Look north, south, east and west. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
All of the land that you see, I shall give to you. I shall give it to you and your *descendants for always. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
It will be impossible to count your *descendants, as it is impossible to count tiny bits of dust. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Come! Walk all through the country. Walk north, south, east and west because I shall give it all to you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abram moved his tent. And he went to live by the *oaks that Mamre owned. They are in the area called Hebron. There he built an *altar for the *Lord
\rquote s honour.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram had travelled with his nephew, called Lot. Like Abram, Lot was a *righteous man (2 Peter 2:7-8). So, Lot wanted to do the right things. But there was a problem with Lot\rquote s character.
Wealth tempted Lot. In time, it became too difficult for Abram and Lot to live together. Lot wanted to live in a place where he could become more wealthy. He did not seem to care that he would be living near wicked men. Their deeds would upset Lot greatl
y. But Lot still chose to live with them.
\par Lot\rquote s attitudes were like the attitudes of many Christians today. They are glad to be Christians. And the wicked behaviour of other people upsets them. But those Christians allow wealth to tempt them. They may even
do things that they should not do, because of money. They themselves are not evil people. But their wrong attitudes cause them many troubles. And they cannot trust God completely because of their wrong ambitions.
\par Abram was different. He did not care about wealth. He knew that God had led him to Canaan. And he knew that God had given his (Abram\rquote
s) wealth to him. So, Abram allowed Lot to choose whatever land he (Lot) wanted. And Abram was confident, because he trusted God. God would give to Abram whatever land Abram needed.
\par Afterwards, God repeated his promise to Abram. God promised Abram the country in which Abram was now living. Abram was in the right place. This was the country that God had chosen for Abram and his *descendants.
\par Verse 2 Abram was \lquote very\rquote rich. And the *famine had been \lquote very\rquote bad (Genesis 12:10). In both those cases, the writer uses the same word for \lquote very\rquote .
\par Verse 3 Abram was eager to return to the country that God had promised to him. And he was eager to keep in close friendship with God.
\par Verse 6 Abram had received more animals from *Pharaoh. All Abram's animals needed grass to eat. So he needed more land for the animals.
\par Verse 8 Abram said that the men should not quarrel. Close relatives should not quarrel. He said that they should separate. Then they would be friendly again. They must not live near to each other, because that caused them to quarrel.
\par Verse 9 Abram was generous and he let Lot choose first.
\par Vers
e 12 From this verse, we get the idea that Lot was willing to live outside Canaan. Lot was selfish. He chose the place that he liked best. He thought that it was the best place to live. But the reasons for his decision were wrong. People must respect olde
r people and parents. Abram was older than Lot. And Abram cared about Lot. In Sodom, Lot would live near wicked people. But Lot did not worry about that.
\par Lot put up tents close to Sodom so that his animals could eat grass in that area.
\par Verse 13 The writer gives us some idea about the trouble that the wicked people in Sodom would cause.
\par Verses 14-15 God told Abram more about his (God\rquote s) promise. All the land that Abram could see would become his (Abram\rquote s) country. God would give it to Abram himself. God would not give it just to Abram\rquote
s *descendants. God said that it would always belong to Abram.
\par Verses 16-17 Abram\rquote s *descendants would be so many that nobody would be able to count them. God will *bless us when we trust him completely. Abram walked through the country. He was showing that one day he would own the country.
\par Verse 18 Abram built another *altar for the *Lord\rquote s honour. Abram wanted to thank God for his goodness.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 14
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram at war with the kings, 14:1-24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Many *tribes lived in the area. Each *tri
be had its own chief man or king. Those kings sometimes came together to help each other. They came together because they wanted to fight against a more powerful *tribe. Or they wanted to defeat a smaller *tribe and then they would have power over that *t
ribe. Then the smaller *tribe that they had defeated had to pay regular taxes to them. Or that *tribe had to serve them.
\par At first, Abram did not join in with these battles. But then one side attacked Sodom, where Lot lived. That side overcame the men from Sodom. So, the people from Sodom, including Lot, became prisoners. Lot was Abram\rquote
s nephew. So, Abram decided that he would rescue Lot. Abram was not a king and he did not have an army. Abram was a farmer. But he was wealthy. He had many employees and many s
laves. These men were strong men and they would fight for Abram. Abram also had three important friends, called Aner, Eshcol and Mamre. They too were willing to fight for Abram.
\par Abram attacked by night, and he was very successful. He managed to rescue all
the people from Sodom, including Lot. And he also took back all their possessions. Abram could have kept these possessions. But he did not want to. These possessions belonged to wicked men. Abram trusted God. So, Abram did not want wicked men to make him
rich.
\par As Abram returned, he met a king called Melchizedek. Like Abram, Melchizedek *worshipped the real God. In fact, Melchizedek was a priest of God. Hebrews chapter 7 explains the importance of this. Jesus was a priest like Melchizedek. Unlike other pries
ts, Melchizedek did not become a priest because of his family. And Hebrews 7:7 even says that Melchizedek was a greater person than Abram. The Bible only mentions Melchizedek briefly. But we can learn many things about Jesus from the story of Melchizedek.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 4 kings fight against 5 kings, 14:1-12
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
At that time, Amraphel was the king of Shinar and Arioch was the king of Ellasar. Chedorlaomer was the king of Elam and Tidal was the king of Goiim. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Those 4 kings made war with 5 other kings. These 5 kings inclu
ded Bera the king of Sodom, and Birsha the king of Gomorrah. There were Shinab the king of Admah, and Shemeber the king of Zeboiim. And there was the king of Bela (the place that is also called Zoar). }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All these 5 kings came together in the valley called Siddim, which is near the Salt Sea. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They had served Chedorlaomer for 12 years. But in the 13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 year they started to oppose his authority.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In the 14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
year, Chedorlaomer came. He was with those kings that were helping him. Together, they defeated the people called Rephaim in Ashteroth-Karnaim, and the people called Zuzim in Ham. Those 4 kings also defeated the people called Emim in Shaveh-Kiriathaim. }
{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And they defeated the people called Horites in the mountains called Seir, as far as El-Paran. That is at the edge of the desert. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then the 4 kings turned back and they came to En-Mishpat (Kadesh). They got power over all the country where the people called Amalekites lived. And they got power over the people called *Amorites that were living in Hazezon-Tamar.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then the 5 kings went out to fight. There were the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah. There were also the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim. And there was the king of Bela (the place that is also called Zoar). They fought in the Valley
called Siddim }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
against the other 4 kings. These included Chedorlaomer the king of Elam, and Tidal the king of Goiim. There were also Amraphel the king of Shinar, and Arioch the king of Ellasar. 4 kings were fighting against 5 kings. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now there were v
ery many big holes in the valley called Siddim. From those holes, people got bitumen (a black stuff that people used like cement). The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah ran away. Some men fell into the big holes. The rest ran away to the mountains. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Their enemies took all the goods from the cities called Sodom and Gomorrah. And they took all the people\rquote s food. Then the enemies went. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They also took Lot, Abram\rquote s nephew, who lived in Sodom. And they took Lot\rquote s goods and they went away.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-12 The 4 kings (Chedorlaomer and his friends) set out on their journey, with their armies. Along the way, they defeated several *tribes that lived in Canaan.
\par Then, those 4 kings defeated the 5 kings from the area round the Salt Sea (also called the Dead Sea). These 5 kings were Bera the king of Sodom, with his friends. Each king had brought an army with him.
\par (In the end, Abram would come and he would defeat Chedorlaomer.)
\par Verses 3, 8 and 10 The 4 kings fought against the 5 kings in the valley called Siddim. Later, the Salt Sea (Dead Sea) flooded that valley. So, after that, the valley was under water.
\par Verse 10 \lquote Some men fell into the big holes.\rquote This has two possible meanings. Maybe the king of Sodom and his men hid in the holes. Or maybe some men fell into them and they died. The king of Sodom escaped.
\par Verses 11-12 We already know that Lot was Abram\rquote s nephew. But the writer tells us that fact again here. Abram rescued Lot because Lot was Abram\rquote s nephew.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram and Melchizedek, 14:13-24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Someone that escaped came to Abra
m the *Hebrew. And he told Abram about what had happened. Abram was living by some *oaks that belonged to Mamre the *Amorite. Mamre was Eshcol\rquote s and Aner\rquote s brother. All those brothers were Abram\rquote s friends. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram heard that the enemy had caught Abram\rquote s
nephew as a prisoner. So then Abram led out the 318 men that he had trained. They had been born in his house. They pursued the enemy as far as Dan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abram divided his men and servants into groups. And during the night, they chased the enemy to Hobah. That is north from Damascus. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Abram brought back all the goods. He brought back his nephew Lot and Lot\rquote s possessions. Abram also brought back the women and the other people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram had defeated Chedorlaomer. And he had defeated the other kings tha
t were helping Chedorlaomer. After that, Abram returned. Then the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley called Shaveh (the King\rquote s Valley).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Melchizedek, the king of Salem, brought bread and wine. He was the priest of the Most High God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Melchizedek *blessed Abram. And Melchizedek said this.
\par \lquote Let the Most High God, who made the sky and the earth, *bless Abram. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And let people *bless the Most High God, because he has delivered your enemies into your power!\rquote
\par And Abram gave to Melchizedek a tenth part of everything.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The king of Sodom said to Abram, \lquote Give the people to me, but take the goods for yourself!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22-23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \~But Abram said this to the king of Sodom: \lquote I have promised this to the Most High *Lord God, who
made the sky and the earth. I promised that I would not take anything from you. I would not take even a *thread. And I would not take even a piece that people fasten a shoe with. So then you cannot say that you made Abram rich. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will take only what the young men have eaten. And I will take the share for my men. Let Aner, Eshcol and Mamre take their share.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 13 In the Bible, this is the only time when Abram was called the \lquote *Hebrew\rquote . Usually, people that called *Israelites \lquote *Hebrews\rquote were not *Israelites themselves.
\par Verses 14-16 Abram defeated Chedorlaomer and Abram rescued the prisoners. Then they all saw that Abram was very powerful.
\par Verse 15 Abram attacked the kings at night. So he was able to win, although he had fewer men.
\par Verse 18 The name Melchizedek comes from the *Hebrew words \lquote malki\rquote and \lquote tsedeq\rquote . \lquote Malki\rquote means \lquote my king\rquote and \lquote tsedeq\rquote means \lquote *righteous\rquote . So Melchizedek means \lquote
my king is *righteous\rquote or \lquote king of everything *righteous\rquote (Hebrews 7:2). \lquote Salem\rquote means peace. It is possible that Sale
m is the same city as Jerusalem. But usually, when people wanted to make a name shorter, they cut off the end of the name. They did not usually cut off its beginning. Melchizedek is the first priest that the writer mentions in Genesis. Melchizedek *worshi
pped God, as Abram did. The same person was not usually both a king and a priest. But Melchizedek was both.
\par Verse 19 Melchizedek *blessed Abram. Melchizedek did not merely pray that God would be kind to Abram. Melchizedek spoke these words as a priest. In other words, he was speaking by God\rquote s Holy Spirit. And Melchizedek\rquote
s words reminded Abram about the words that God had spoken to him (Genesis 12:2-3; Genesis 13:14-17).
\par Verse 20 Abram wanted to show honour to Melchizedek. So Abram gave him a special gift.
\par Verse 21 Abram won the right to take the people and their possessions. The king of Sodom realised this. So he offered the possessions to Abram. The king of Sodom would allow Abram to keep the possessions, if Abram returned the people to Sodom.
\par Verses 22-24
Abram did not agree to keep the possessions. He remembered that he had a duty to serve God. The possessions from Sodom could make Abram very rich. But now Abram did not want anyone except God to make him (Abram) rich. Abram certainly did not want to accep
t any gift from the wicked people from Sodom. Later, God could not find any good people in Sodom, except Lot.
\par However, Abram was fair to the men who fought with him. He allowed them a share of the objects that they had won.
\par This chapter shows again that God was helping Abram. Abram knew that God made him successful. Abram had only a small group of men. But with them, he was able to defeat large, powerful armies that had defeated many other armies.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 15
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *covenant with Abram, 15:1-21
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram trusted God. And this attitude guided the decisions that Abram made.
\par Abram left his father\rquote s family because Abram trusted God. Abram did not even know where God was sending him. Later, Abram refused any reward from the king of Sodom (Genesis 14:21-24). Abram did not want an evil man to make him rich.
\par And so, God spoke to Abram again. God himself would be Abram\rquote s reward (verse 1). Or, the same words may mean that God would give a great reward to Abram. And so, Abram prayed for a son. This prayer was not a selfish pray
er. God had already promised that Abram\rquote s family would become a great nation (Genesis 12:2). And God would *bless people from all nations by means of Abram\rquote s special *descendant (Genesis 12:3). So, Abram\rquote
s prayer in verses 2-3 was that God\rquote s promise would happen. God repeated his promises in verses 4-5. But Abram still had to trust God. Abram was already old, but he had no children yet.
\par Then God also promised the country called Canaan (later called Israel) to Abram\rquote s *descendants. Abram was already living there. But Abram\rquote
s *descendants would not rule the country soon. They would have to wait for 400 years until the time that God had chosen. And those 400 years would end with an awful time. Abram\rquote s *descendants would become slaves. And the inhabitants of Can
aan would become very wicked. But God had a plan. And he would do everything that he promised.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The promises in the *covenant, 15:1-6
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After that, the *Lord spoke to Abram. The *Lord spoke in a *vision.
\par \lquote Do not be afraid, Abram. I am protecting you. I will give a very big reward to you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Abram said, \lquote *Lord God, what will you give to me? I am still without a child. Eliezer from Damascus will have all my goods.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram said again, \lquote Look! You have not given me a child. When I die, a slave will have all my goods. That is, a slave that was born in my house.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord spoke to Abram again. \lquote That man will not have all your goods. Your own son will have all your goods.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord took Abram outside. And the *Lord said, \lquote Look at the sky and try to count the stars. You will have quite as many *descendants.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And Abram believed the *Lord. And the *Lord considered him *righteous, because he (Abram) believed.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 \lquote After that\rquote may mean some time later, rather than immediately. Abram had refused a reward from the King of Sodom. God promised Abram a much greater reward.
\par Verses 2-3 The *Hebrew text here is difficult. A servant could *inherit goods if his owner had no children. That was a custom. Such a servant was usually young. His master would adopt him as a son.
\par We do not know anything about Eliezer. But perhaps he is the same man as Abram\rquote s chief servant in chapter 24. If so, Eliezer was very loyal to his master.
\par Verse 4 It was not God\rquote s plan that Eliezer would *inherit. God wanted to *bless people from every nation by means of Abram. God\rquote s plan was that Jesus would be one of Abram\rquote s *descendants.
\par Verse 5 God promised that Abram would have his own child, grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and so on.
\par Verse 6 Abram was not perfect, but he believed God. So God *judged him as not *sinful. We should believe that Jesus died for us. Then God will *judge us as not *sinful (Romans chapter 4).
\par This is a very important verse. We cannot please God because of our own efforts. We can only please God if we trust him. Paul repeats this verse in Galatians 3:6. And Hebrews 11:8-9 explains how Abram trusted God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God speaks to Abram about the future, 15:7-21
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said to Abram, \lquote
I am the *Lord. I brought you out of Ur, where the people called Chaldeans live. I wanted to give this country to you, so that you could own it. That is why I brought you out.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Abram said, \lquote *Lord God, how shall I know that I will own it?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said to him, \lquote
Bring to me a calf (young *ox or cow), a female goat and a *ram. Each animal must be three years old. Also, bring to me a *dove and a very young *pigeon.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Abram brought them and he cut them down their middle. He placed the halves opposite each other. However, he did not cut the birds. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then the birds that hunt came down upon the animals. Abram drove the birds away.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 As the sun was setting, Abram slept deeply. Thick darkness came over him and it made him feel very afraid. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said to Abram, \lquote You have to know this certainly. Your *descendants will be strangers in someone else\rquote
s country. They will be slaves there. The people that own the country will be cruel to them. That will continue for 400 years. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will *
judge the nation that makes them slaves. Afterwards, your *descendants will come out from that country. They will be very rich when they leave. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You will die in peace. People will bury you after you have become a wise old man. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The grandsons of your
grandsons will come back here. Until then, I will not punish the *Amorites because of their (the *Amorites\rquote ) *sins.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sun had set and it was dark. Then there appeared a smoking pot of fire. And there appeared a burning object from which flames were
coming. Both those things passed between the halves of the animals. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On that day, the *Lord made a *covenant with Abram. He said, \lquote
I have given this country to your *descendants. That is, the whole country from the river of Egypt to the great River Euphrates. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
This country now belongs to the people called the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 the *Amorites, the *Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 7 This verse is like Genesis
28:13 and Exodus 3:6. God showed Abram who God himself really is. God is always the only real God. There is no other real God. It was the same God who called Abram. It was the same God who guided Abram to the country called Canaan. And it was the same God
who was making these promises to Abram. So, Abram could continue to trust God.
\par Verses 8-11 This was a special ceremony called the *covenant. Enemies used to make a *covenant at the end of a war. Each side made serious promises. They killed animals. But Abram\rquote
s *covenant was different. He did not make this *covenant with another man. Abram\rquote s *covenant was with God.
\par Verse 12 Abram was a friend of God. So, God told Abram about his plans (Genesis 18:17-19). God\rquote s plans for Abram\rquote s family were good, but there would be many terrible troubles. Abram waited for God to speak.
\par Verses 13-16 God told Abram that his *descendants would be slaves in Egypt for 400 years. The time that the writer meant was \lquote about\rquote 400 years rather than exactly 400 years.
\par In the Book of Exodu
s, you can read about the events that God described. All these events actually happened. In the end, God used Moses to free his people. God led them back to the country called Canaan. And God gave them success in war. (See the Book of Joshua.) So God gave
the country to Abram\rquote s *descendants. These things happened as God had said.
\par Verse 17 When two people made a *covenant, they usually cut an animal into two halves. Then they walked between the halves. Here, only the pot and the burning object went between t
he halves. Abram did not. God alone made the *covenant. The pot and the burning object (with smoke and fire) showed that God was present. God often showed that he was present by means of smoke and fire.
\par Verses 18-21 This *covenant is different from later *covenants. In the later ones, someone on each side made promises. But in this one, only God made promises. Abram did not make any promises. Abram just had to trust God. God would do everything else.
\par In Genesis chapters 12 to 15:
\par }\pard \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\tx360\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af3 \ltrch\fcs0 \f3\insrsid16530303 \'b7\tab }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
We can call Abram a *prophet because he had messages from God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af3 \ltrch\fcs0 \f3\insrsid16530303 \'b7\tab }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We can call Abram a priest because he built *altars. And he offered *sacrifices on them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af3 \ltrch\fcs0 \f3\insrsid16530303 \'b7\tab }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We can call Abram a king because he went to war like a king.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 16
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hagar and Ishmael, 16:1-16
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God had promised a son to Abram. But Sarai, Abram\rquote s wife, thought that she was too old to have a baby. So, she suggested that Abram should have a baby with Hagar. Hagar was a slave who worked as Sarai\rquote s maid.
\par Sarai\rquote s idea was a natural solution to Abram\rquote s problem. But it was not God\rquote s solution. God wanted Abram to continue to trust him. God\rquote s plan was that Sarai would be the mother of Abram\rquote
s son. And God wanted that son to be born as the result of God\rquote s promise (Galatians 4:23).
\par There was an important reason for God\rquote s plan. God\rquote s promise was not merely to any son of Abram. It was to Abram\rquote
s special *descendant, who is Christ (Galatians 3:16). And, by means of Christ, Christians become the sons of God (Galatians 4:6). But nobody can please God by his or her own natural efforts. So, n
obody can become a real Christian by natural methods. We have to trust God to become Christians. Then we shall receive the things that God has promised.
\par Abram too needed to learn to trust God. Abram made many mistakes. But, when Abram trusted God, Abram pleased God. And then God gave to Abram the things that he (God) had promised.
\par God still cared about Abram\rquote s first son, although that son was born in the natural way. That son was called Ishmael, and his mother was Hagar. God even made promises about Ishmael. And Abram also cared about Ishmael. But Ishmael\rquote
s behaviour would cause trouble for Abram (Genesis 21:8-11). Abram had to send Ishmael away in order to protect Abram\rquote s second son, called Isaac. Isaac was the son whom God had promised to Abram (Galatians 4:29-30).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A quarrel in the family, 16:1-6
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now Sarai, Abram\rquote
s wife, had no children. She had an *Egyptian maid called Hagar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Sarai said this to Abram: \lquote
Because the *Lord has not given children to me, have sex with my maid. Perhaps she will give birth to my sons for me.\rquote Then Abram obeyed his wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Abram lived in Canaan for 10 years. After that, Abram\rquote s wife Sarai took Hagar, her *Egyptian maid. And Sarai gave her to Sarai\rquote s husband Abram. So then Hagar could act like a wife towards him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram had sex with Hagar. And she became *pregnant. When Hagar knew that, she was unkind to her boss Sarai. She was unkind because she considered Sarai worse than Hag
ar herself. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Sarai said to Abram, \lquote
It is your fault that I am unhappy. I gave my maid to you so that you could have sex with her. Now, when she is *pregnant, she is unkind to me. She is being unkind because she considers me worse than herself. Let the *Lord *judge between you and me!
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram said to Sarai, \lquote Your maid is in your power. Do to her whatever you want.\rquote Then Sarai was cruel to Hagar. And Hagar ran away.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God\rquote s *angel finds Hagar, 16:7-16
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *angel of the *Lord found Hagar in the d
esert. Hagar was near a well that gave water. That well was on the way to Shur. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel said, \lquote Hagar, Sarai\rquote
s maid, where have you come from? And where are you going to?\rquote
\par Hagar replied, \lquote I am running away from my boss Sarai.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel of the *Lord said this to her. \lquote Return to your boss and obey her.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel of the *Lord also said, \lquote I will give many *descendants to you. Nobody will be able to count them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel of the *Lord then said this to }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid5505998 Hagar}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 .
\par \lquote You are now *pregnant and you will have a baby son. The *Lord has heard that you are suffering. So you will name your son Ishmael. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Ishmael will be a man that is like a wild *donkey. He will oppose everyone, and everyone will oppose him. He will always fight against his relatives.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hagar called the *Lord, who spoke to her, this name. \lquote You are God, who sees me.\rquote She said, \lquote
Here I have seen God, who cares about me.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 That well is called Beer Lahai Roi. (Its name means \lquote
the well of the Person who lives, who sees me\rquote .) Hagar called it that because there, God saw her. The well is between Kadesh and Bered. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Hagar had a baby son for Abram. Abram named his son Ishmael. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abram was 86 years old when Hagar had Ishmael.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 From this verse, we learn what the chapter is about. At t
hat time, Sarai had no children. But God had promised children to her a long time before. Hagar was a slave. *Pharaoh probably gave her to Abram when Abram and Sarai left Egypt.
\par Verses 2-6 Sarai gave orders to both Abram and Hagar.
\par Sometimes when people had no children, it would be a punishment from God. But that was not so here.
\par People considered that it was very important to have children. So, wives without children thought that they had failed. At that time, it was common for a maid to have children for her female boss. Therefore Sarai suggested that Hagar should have Abram
\rquote s child. It may seem as if she was right to do that. However, we think that she was wrong. God had promised a son to Abram and Sarai. So they could have trusted God to carry out his promise. He knew the best time for it, and he would do it then.
\par Verse 2 Abram listened to his wife. So, Sarai took Hagar and she gave Hagar to Abram, Sarai\rquote s husband. At that time, people did not think that a man should have only one wife.
\par These events happened 10 years after they came to Canaan. So God had shown that he had carried out his promise to give them a country. But still God had not yet carried out his promise to give *descendants. (Look at Genesis 15:2.)
\par Verse 4 When Hagar got *pregnant, Sarai\rquote s plan seemed successful. But there was trouble. Sarai became jealous of Hagar. Hagar had become *pregnant, but Sarai had not. And Hagar\rquote
s attitudes were also wrong. She should have been grateful for the opportunity that Sarai had given her.
\par Verse 5 Sarai blamed Abram. And she also blamed Hagar because Hagar had become proud. Sarai almost *cursed Abram. The *Hebrew text has \lquote Let the *Lord *judge between you and me.\rquote We would say \lquote It is your fault that I am unhappy.
\rquote
\par Verse 6 Abram did not try to make things right. He did not tell Sarai that her attitude was wrong. Instead, he told Sarai to act as she wanted towards Hagar.
\par But Abram should have protected Hagar because she was like his wife. And she would soon become the mother of his son.
\par Sarai was cruel to Hagar. So, Hagar ran away.
\par Hagar \lquote ran away\rquote . The writer used the same *Hebrew word when the *Israelites ran away from Egypt.
\par Verse 7 The writers in the *Old Testament mention \lquote the *angel of the *Lord\rquote 58 times. And they mention the \lquote *angel of God\rquote 11 times. The
*angels appear as men, but people know them later as *angels. Some people think that God himself appeared here. Hagar was on her way to Egypt.
\par Verse 8 The *angel called Hagar by her name and he also called her Sarai\rquote s maid. God knew where Hagar had come f
rom. Similarly in Genesis 3:9, he knew where Adam was. And in Genesis 4:9, he knew what Cain had done to Abel. Hagar was honest. So she said that she had run away.
\par Verses 9-10 Three times we read that the *angel of the *Lord spoke to Hagar. It shows that G
od really cared about Hagar. Everything that he said was really important. God was sending her back to Sarai. That would be difficult for Hagar. She needed to receive confidence from God that it was right. God\rquote
s promise about many *descendants would encourage her. This was a wonderful promise for a woman who was just a slave.
\par Verse 11 The *angel promised a son to Hagar. The son would be called Ishmael. That name means \lquote God hears\rquote . God had heard Hagar. God did not promise that Hagar would have relief from di
fficulties. But Hagar knew that God would be with her in the difficulties.
\par Verse 12 Ishmael would have a tendency to make war. He would not behave in the way that other people expected him to behave. He would be a wanderer. He would do whatever he wanted.
\par Verse 13 Hagar recognised that it was an *angel. When she realised that, the *angel disappeared. Hagar said, \lquote You are God, who sees me.\rquote She knew that God cared about her.
\par Verse 14 The well is always there. Whenever people see it, they can remember God\rquote s care. That was also true when people saw Ishmael.
\par Verse 15 Hagar had a baby called Ishmael for Abram. Abram named him. Maybe Abram was protecting Hagar in that way. The writer does not mention Sarai here, although Sarai intended Ishmael to be her son.
\par Verse 16 God can take a very long time to carry out his promises. Abram\rquote s age here makes us remember that.
\par This chapter shows how God cares about those that are suffering. Hagar was just a slave who was suffering. But God listened to her. And he took care of her. Hagar believed God\rquote s message and she obeyed.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 17
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God *confirms the *covenant again, 17:1-27
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This chapter is very important. In it, Abram\rquote s name becomes Abraham. (See 17:4, 5.) God also changes his wife\rquote s name from Sarai to Sarah. (See 17:15.) God told Abraham more about his (God\rquote
s) promises. God told Abraham that he (Abraham) would be the father (*ancestor) of many nations. So Abraham would not only be the father of just one nation! Abraham was already living in the country that God promised
to him. God added that he had promised \lquote the whole country\rquote
to Abraham. God told Abraham that there would be kings in his family. And God told him that Sarah, his old wife, would be the mother of his child. God said that this *covenant will last always.
\par In
two ways, God showed clearly that he had made the *covenant. He gave new names to Abram (Abraham) and Sarai (Sarah). And he ordered the male members of their family to receive *circumcision. That would show that they were joining into the *covenant with G
od.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God changes Abram\rquote s name, 17:1-8
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When Abram was 99 years old, the *Lord appeared in front of him. The *Lord said, \lquote I am God who can do anything. Walk with me and do not *sin. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then I can make my *covenant between me and you. I will give you very many *descendants.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abram *bowed down with his face close to the ground. God spoke to him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \rquote Look! I have made a *covenant with you. You will be the father of a great crowd of nations. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Your name will not be Abram any longer. It will be Abraham because I will make you the father of a great crowd of nations. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I shall give you very many *descendants. I shall make you into nations. You will have some *descendants that will be kings. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I shall *confirm my *covenant between me and you. My *covenant with your *descendants will be a *covenant that will last for always. I shall be your God and I shall be your *descendants\rquote God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I shall give to you the whole country called Canaan, to which you have come. So then you can own it for always. And I shall give it to your *descendants. I will be their God.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Ishmael was already 13 years old. Still Sarah had no child. That emphasises how wonderful Isaac\rquote s birth would be. It could not happen in the usual way. Only God could make it happen.
\par This *Hebrew for \lquote God who can do anything\rquote is El-Shaddai. It appears several times in Genesis. And it appears twice elsewhere. The writer of Genesis uses it often when God promises *descendants to someone.
\par God told Abraham to walk with him. This means that Abraham should live in the right way. He should do what God wants. So then God would always be with him and Abraham would know it. (And Abraham would do whatever God wanted.)
\par Verse 3 Abraham *bowed down with his face close to the ground. In that way, he was *worshipping God.
\par Verses 4-8 First, God said what he would do in the *covenant. God told Abraham more about his (God\rquote s) promises. Abraham would be the father (*ancestor) of many nations rather than just one. God mentioned the words \lquote *descendants\rquote ,
\lquote nations\rquote and \lquote father\rquote several times here. God\rquote s *covenant will last always. God promised always to be the God of Abraham\rquote s family. Several *Hebrew words here are like the name Abraham, which means \lquote
father of many people\rquote .
\par Verse 5 The meaning of names was important to people at that time. God would do as he promised. Abraham\rquote
s new name showed this. God would give a son to Abraham and Sarah. And they would have many *descendants from that son. So Abraham would really be the \lquote father of many people\rquote .
\par Verse 6 God promised that some *descendants of Abraham will be kings. This was the first time that God made this special promise.
\par Verse 7 God would be the God of Abraham\rquote s *descendants. They would be his special people.
\par Verse 8 God repeated his promise about the country called Canaan. The whole country would belong to Abraham\rquote s *descendants.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Circumcision, 17:9-14
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said this to Abraham: \lquote
Now, you must obey my *covenant. And your *descendants too, who will come after you, must obey it for all their lives. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
This is my *covenant which you must obey. It is my *covenant between me and you. And it is also between me and your *descendants, who will come after you. You must *circumcise all your men. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Someone must *circumcise you in your *flesh. That is, someone must cut off your *foreskin. The *circumcision is evidence that there is a *covenant between me and you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Someone must *circumcise all males when they are 8 days old. People must continue to do that all the time in future ages. You must *circumcise all
those that are born in your *household. And you must *circumcise those that you have bought from foreigners. You must do it, although they are not your family. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 You must *circumcise everyone. You must *circumcise all those that are born in your house. And you must *circumcise all those that you buy. In that way, my *covenant will be in your body. It is a *covenant that will last for always. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If any male has not received *circumcision of his *foreskin, his family shall not consider him its member any
longer. That man has not obeyed my *covenant.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 9-13 In Canaan, many *tribes already practised that custom. Many that were near Canaan practised it too. Such people usually *circumcised a boy when he was becoming a man. But God tells Abraham to *circ
umcise babies too. And Abraham must also *circumcise all the men and boys. The *circumcision shows that they are part of God\rquote s family. *Circumcision is evidence to show the *covenant.
\par Verse 14 God said that every male *Jew should receive *circumcision. Anyone who refused was not obeying the *covenant with God. So that man was not joining in with the *covenant. And he would not continue to belong to God\rquote s people. That man\rquote
s family would send him away.
\par The *Jews continue to follow the tradition of *circumcision, even today. But they did not always follow it. See Joshua 5:2-5.
\par The first Christians had to think carefully about this tradition. You can read their decision in Acts chapter 15 and the Book of Galatians. Galatians 5:6 explains the attitude of Christians today.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Sarah will have a son called Isaac, 17:15-27
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said to Abraham, \lquote
Now, there is Sarai your wife. Do not call her Sarai any longer. Call her Sarah. v}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I shall *bless Sarah. And I shall give a son to you from her. I shall *bless her, and her family will become nations. Kings of nations will be among her *descendants.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham *bowed down with his face close to the ground. And he laughed. He was thinking this. \lquote
Surely a man that is 100 years old cannot become a father. And surely Sarah cannot become a mother. She is 99.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And Abraham said to God,
\lquote Let Ishmael live so that you are present there with him.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But God said, \lquote Sarah your wife will certainly have your baby son. You must call him Isaac. I shal
l make my *covenant again with him. It will be a *covenant that lasts for always. It will be a *covenant with him. And it will be with his *descendants, who will come after him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But I have heard your prayer for Ishmael. I have *blessed him. I will give to him a large family and very many *descendants. His family will have 12 princes in it. I shall make him into a great nation. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It is with Isaac that I shall make my *covenant again. Sarah will give birth to Isaac at this time next year.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God stopped his conversation with Abraham and God went away.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Abraham took his son Ishmael. He took all the males that were born in his *household. And he also took all the males that he had bought. He took every male in his *household and he *circumcise
d their *foreskins on that day. He did that exactly as God had told him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham was 99 years old when he received *circumcision. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ishmael was 13 years old when he received it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham and Ishmael received *circumcision on the same day. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All the men in Abraham\rquote
s *household received *circumcision. That included those that were born there. And it also included those that Abraham had bought from foreigners. They all received *circumcision at the same time as Abraham did.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 15-16 God promised that Sarah would have a son. This could not happen in the natural way. Sarah was too old. But God\rquote s promise was clear. Whole nations would be among her *descendants. Sarai means \lquote
my princess\rquote . Perhaps it showed what her parents thought about her. But Sarah means \lquote Princess\rquote and it shows God\rquote s plans for her. That gave her greater honour.
\par Verses 17-21 Abraham was joyful. But he did not know how God would carry out his promise. So, Abraham spoke to God about Ishmael. Abraham wanted a *blessing for Ishmael. God knew Abraham\rquote
s thoughts and God made promises for Ishmael. But God also made promises about Isaac, who would be Sarah\rquote s son. Isaac would be the son that God had chosen. God had promised that special son, Isaac, to Abraham and Sarah 25 years before.
\par Verses 23-27 Abraham obeyed God immediately. Abraham received *circumcision. So did Ishmael, and every male who lived with Abraham. This included Abraham\rquote s male slaves.
\par This chapter is very important. God would do what he promised. Otherwise, Isaac would not hav
e been born. And there would be no nation called Israel. Abraham showed his family how they should live. He obeyed God immediately. Abraham obeyed God even before God gave Isaac to him. God\rquote
s *covenant was still there, even when the people in Israel started to oppose God. It was there even when they *sinned.
\par God promised:
\par 1. that he would always be Abraham\rquote s God;
\par 2. that Abraham would have very many *descendants;
\par 3. that Abraham\rquote s family would have their own country.
\par The *New Testament teaches more about God\rquote s *covenant. Because of Jesus, people who are not *Jews can join in with God\rquote s *covenant. God had promised to *bless his people. And Christ made God\rquote s *blessing complete.
\par In the *Old Testament, there are several passages where the writer mentions \lquote *circumcision of the heart (or mind)\rquote
. (Look at Leviticus 26:41; Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 4:4.) *Circumcision was physical evidence that people obeyed God. But \lquote *circumcision of the heart\rquote meant that *Israelites had to obey God in every way. That includ
ed what they thought. It included what they said. And it included what they did. In the *New Testament, Paul talks about that. He discusses it in his letter to the Romans (chapters 2-4).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 18
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Soon after Abraham received *circumcision, three visitors
came to see him. Abraham did not know who the visitors were. But he gave them great honour. By means of the visitors, God gave a message to Abraham. Sarah would have her baby, called Isaac, during the next year. But Sarah did not believe God\rquote
s message. She laughed at the idea. She thought that she was much too old to have a baby.
\par Abraham\rquote s visitors were travelling to the city called Sodom. The people in Sodom were very wicked. God had decided to punish them severely. But God did not want to do anything unti
l he had discussed the matter with Abraham. So, God had a conversation with Abraham about Sodom. We can learn many things about Abraham\rquote s relationship with God from that conversation.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God promises a son to Abraham, 18:1-15
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord appeared in front of
Abraham. It happened by the *oaks that Mamre owned. Abraham was sitting in the doorway of his tent. God appeared at midday, when the sun was very hot. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham looked up. And he saw three men, who were standing near him. Immediately he ran from the door of his tent. He ran towards them. He *bowed very low.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said, \lquote Sir, if you think kindly about me, please do not go away. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let us bring a little water so that you can wash your feet. Then rest under the tree. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I will fetch a little food to give you energy. After that, you will be able to continue your journey. We are happy to have you with us.\rquote
\par The men said, \lquote That is good. Do as you have said.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. And he said, \lquote Go quickly and get three measures of the bes
t flour. That is, flour that people have made from wheat. Mix it with water and make loaves.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Meanwhile, Abraham dashed out to the *cattle. He chose a fine young bull (male cow) and he gave it to a servant. The servant hurried to get it ready. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Abraham took butter and milk. And he took the meat that the servant had cooked. He served them to his guests. Abraham stood under the tree. And he served them as they ate.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The men said to him, \lquote Where is your wife Sarah?\rquote Abraham said, \lquote She is in the tent.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said, \lquote I shall certainly come back to you next year. Sarah your wife will have a son.\rquote
\par Now Sarah was listening at the door of the tent. The door was behind the speaker. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham and Sarah were old. They had lived for very many years. Sa
rah was not able to have children any longer. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Sarah laughed. And she said to herself, \lquote
I am an old woman. I am not able to have pleasure from sex any longer. My husband is very old.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said this to Abraham: \lquote Sarah laughed. She thought that she was too old to have a son. So she laughed. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But nothing is too difficult for the *Lord to do. I will come back to you next year. I will come at the time that I have decided. Sarah will have a son.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Sarah said that she did not laugh. She said it because she was afraid. But the *Lord said, \lquote You are wrong. You did laugh.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 Abraham had rested during the hottest part of the day. However, he gave a very friendly welcome to the three visitors. It was the custom to be kind to all visitors.
\par Abraham did not know that one visitor was the *Lord. And he did not know that the other visitors were special too. He looked up and he saw them near him. They \lquote appeared\rquote
. That shows that they were special. Abraham thought that he was slow to give them a welcome. So he ran to them and he *bowed down. When someone *bowed low, that action showed great honour. People may also *bow down when they *worship God.
\par Verse 3 Abraham respected his visitors greatly. He did not know that his visitors were special. But he spoke to them as if they were special.
\par Verse 4 Abraham offered things that would make travellers feel much better on a hot day. He offered water for them to drink. He offered water for them to wash their feet. And he invited them to rest under a tree that gave shade.
\par Verse 5 Abraham did not say how big a meal he would prepare. Otherwise, the men might have said \lquote no\rquote . Abraham was kind to them. But he said rather that their visit was a *blessing for }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 him}
{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 . That was true, although Abraham did not understand it yet.
\par Verses 6-8 Abraham asked Sarah to prepare a very large amount of food. He gave the best food that he had. Later, people would give such food as a *sacrifice to God. But Abraham gave it to three strangers.
\par Verses 9-15 God again promised a son. This time he said that the son would be born to Sarah. She was not actually with the men then. But she heard it and she laughed. Sarah could not belie
ve that, at last, she would have a son. She did not believe that it could be true.
\par The visitors asked where Sarah was. However, they knew that she had made loaves for them. They knew her name. That showed that they were not ordinary men. Maybe they were showing to Abraham that they were not ordinary visitors.
\par The most important visitor promised to \lquote come back\rquote . Elsewhere in the *Old Testament, this is what it means. It means that the person would come back to *bless someone. And here it may mean this. The so
n that God had promised would certainly come. It was as certain as if they already had their son. And the *Lord emphasised that it would happen very soon.
\par Sarah laughed to herself. Sarah thought that the visitor could not see her. But he knew that she laughed. That showed to Abraham and Sarah that the visitor was special. It showed that they could believe his promise.
\par The writer says again that Sarah was old. In that way, he emphasises that God was doing a miracle. (A miracle is a great thing that only God can do. People would normally think that it was impossible.) The conversation about Sarah\rquote
s laughter contained their son\rquote s name, Isaac. Isaac means \lquote he or she laughed\rquote .
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God punishes the people in Sodom, 18:16-19:29
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the men set out on their journey
and they looked out at Sodom. Abraham went with them to lead them on their way. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *Lord thought, \lquote
I will tell Abraham what I will do. I will not hide it from him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s family will certainly be a great, powerful nation. All nations will
receive a *blessing because of Abraham. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I have chosen him. He will lead his children and *household in the right way. So then they too will live in the way that the *Lord wants. They will obey the *Lord and they will act fairly. Therefore the *Lord wil
l do to Abraham as he (the *Lord) has promised.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the *Lord said, \lquote
The citizens in Sodom and Gomorrah have made very many people suffer. They have *sinned very greatly. So I must punish them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The sufferers protest that those citizens have *sinned very badly. So I will go down there. And then I will see whether they have really *sinned so badly. I will make sure about that.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the men turned away and they went towards Sodom. But Abraham still stood in front of the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham came near to the *Lord. And Abraham said, \lquote I do not believe that you would kill good people as well as wicked people. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If there are 50 good people in the city, will you destroy it? Or will you save it because of those 50 people? }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I am sure that you woul
d not kill the good people together with the wicked people. You would not punish the good people and the wicked people in the same way. I know that you are not like that. You are the fair judge over all the earth. You will not do that.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the *Lord replied, \lquote
If I find 50 *righteous men in Sodom city, I will allow the whole city to remain. Because of them, I will not destroy the city and I will not kill the people in it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham replied, \lquote I have been so bold that I have spoken to my *Lord. I a
m so much less important than you. So if someone compares me with you, I am only like dust and ashes. But I will ask you again. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
What would happen if there were 45 *righteous people? Would you ruin the whole city because there were 5 too few *righteous men in it?\rquote
\par God said, \lquote I shall not ruin it if I find 45 *righteous people there.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Still Abraham asked again. He said, \lquote If you find only 40 *righteous people there, will you allow the city to remain?\rquote
\par The *Lord replied, \lquote Because of 40 *righteous people, I will not ruin it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said, \lquote Do not be angry, my *Lord, if I speak again. If you find 30 *righteous people there, what will happen?\rquote
\par The *Lord replied, \lquote I will not ruin it if I find 30 *righteous people there.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said, \lquote I have been very bold. So I have spoken to my *Lord in this way. If you find 20 *righteous people there, what will happen?
\rquote
\par The *Lord replied, \lquote Because of 20 people, I will not ruin it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said, \lquote Do not be angry, my *Lord. I will ask just once more. If you find 10 *righteous people there, what will happen?\rquote
\par The *Lord said, \lquote Because of 10 people, I will not ruin it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord left when he had finished his conversation with Abraham. And Abraham returned home.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The writer has already explain
ed how God destroyed the earth by means of the flood (Genesis chapter 7). This story about how God destroyed the cities called Sodom and Gomorrah is rather similar. In both stories, God saved one family. Before the flood, God had shut the door of the *ark
. And here God\rquote s *angel shut the door of Lot\rquote
s house. In the flood, God had sent water down from the sky. He had sent rain down onto the earth. And here, he sent fire and *sulphur down onto Sodom. During the flood, God had remembered Noah. And here he remem
bered Abraham. Afterwards, in both stories, the family\rquote s father became *drunk and his children *sinned against him. The writer wrote this section in a very careful way.
\par Verse 16 Abraham went with his visitors to lead them on their journey. They stopped to look at Sodom. And so this story about how God punished Sodom began.
\par Verses 17-21 This passage shows how important Abraham was in God\rquote s plan. And we also learn what God thought about the wicked inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah. God had thought similar thi
ngs about the earth before the flood (Genesis chapter 6). And Noah, like Abraham, had been very important in God\rquote s plan.
\par Verse 19 Here, \lquote I have chosen him\rquote means \lquote I have known him.\rquote God knows each person among us. He was helping Abraham to become his (God\rquote s) friend. God gave a short list of Abraham\rquote
s duties. He told Abraham to bring up his family in God\rquote s way. That meant that they should obey God. And they should act fairly. God can only carry out his promises to us completely when we continue to obey him.
\par To act fairly may mean to do the right things to other people.
\par Verse 20 The *Lord probably spoke in such a way that Abraham could hear.
\par Verse 21 The *Lord has to be completely sure that somebody really deserves a certain punishment. He does not punish any group of people before he is sure about that. God \lquote went down\rquote to the earth before the flood. And he \lquote went down
\rquote to the *tower at Babel too. And here also, he \lquote went down\rquote . In each case, God had heard protests that the people were *sinning very much. So he went to make sure that the people really had *sinned as much as that.
\par In the original *Hebrew text, the writer mentions \lquote the protests that have come to me\rquote . That is a closer translation. It may mean the sufferers\rquote
cries. It may mean that God cannot leave *sin without punishment, because he is *holy. In Genesis 4:10, we read this. \lquote Your brother\rquote s blood cries out to me from the ground.\rquote God k
nows when someone has *sinned. He knows it as certainly as if the sufferer has told him about it. God wants all people to ask him for help. Then he would save them. But if people do not want his help, he has to punish them because of their *sin. He does n
ot want to punish people, but he has to do it.
\par God thought that Sodom might still have a slight chance to avoid punishment. If they had not *sinned so badly, then he would know it (verse 21).
\par Abraham understood that. So he asked God to save the city if he (God) could find a few \lquote good\rquote
people in it (verses 23-32). Maybe God was testing Abraham. Maybe God wanted to discover whether Abraham would ask that thing. Abraham was not asking just for his own family. He did not mention Lot. Abraham trusted that God would do the right thing.
\par Verse 22 This verse shows that two visitors were *angels, but one visitor was the *Lord. (The *Lord did not enter Sodom, because it was too wicked. And the *angels did not want to stay there.)
\par Verses 23-25 This was the first time in the Bible when a person started a conversation with God. God finished the conversation (verse 32).
\par This conversation was a special type of prayer. Abraham knew that God would use him to *bless all the nations (Genesis 12:3; Genesis 18:18). So, Abraham spok
e on behalf of the wicked people in Sodom. He asked God to be kind, even to the wicked inhabitants of Sodom, because good people lived among them.
\par The Bible says that, in the end, God will destroy the whole earth by fire (2 Peter 3:10). But this event has
not yet happened, because God is kind. First, God will separate good people from evil people (Matthew 13:36-43). But, of course, nobody is really good. We can only become friends of God because Jesus died for us. And we must trust God and invite him into
our lives. So now, God is waiting for people to do this. He is patient, because he does not want anyone to suffer (2 Peter 3:8-9). But the time that he has chosen will come.
\par Verse 26 God listened to Abraham. And God agreed to do the thing that Abraham had requested. God would count the good people in Sodom. If there were more than 50, God would save the whole city because of them.
\par Verses 27-28 Abraham probably realised that there were less than 50 good people in Sodom. The people there were very wicked. So, Abraham asked God to save the city if there were only 45 good people.
\par Abraham was very bold to continue his prayer. But he had seen how God listened to his (Abraham\rquote s) previous request. Jesus taught that we should always pray. We should not give up (Luke 18:1).
\par Verses 29-32 Abraham\rquote s prayer continued. In the end, God agreed to save the city if 10 good people lived there. Abraham knew about Lot and his (Lot\rquote s) family. But Abraham did not know whether any other good people lived there. Lot\rquote
s two daughters were engaged to men from the city. Perhaps Abraham hoped that Lot had convinced these families to serve God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 19
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lot was Abraham\rquote s nephew. Lot wanted to live near Sodom because the land there was better for his animals (chapter 13). But in chapter 19,
Lot had moved his home into Sodom itself. Lot was a *righteous man, but the inhabitants of Sodom were very wicked. It seems that they made a bad impression on Lot\rquote s family.
\par God had decided to kill the people in Sodom because of their wicked behaviour. But
God does not punish *righteous people. God even promised Abraham that he (God) would first count the *righteous people in Sodom. If there were 10 *righteous people, God would save the whole city because of them. But there were not 10 *righteous people in
Sodom. So when the *angels arrived in Sodom, their task was to save Lot and his family.
\par But even that task was difficult. The men in Sodom were so wicked that they tried to have sex with the *angels. And even Lot\rquote s own family did not want to leave. The men who wanted to marry his daughters refused to leave. Lot\rquote
s wife looked behind her as she left. It seems that she still wanted to be in Sodom. So, she died with the people in Sodom.
\par Lot himself did not want to escape to the mountains. God saved a little town
called Zoar so that Lot could go there. And when Lot was safe in Zoar, God destroyed the cities called Sodom and Gomorrah by fire. This event warns us that, in the end, God will punish evil people. God will only save us from this punishment if we trust h
im. We should confess our evil deeds to God. And we should invite him into our lives.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lot leaves Sodom, 19:1-29
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The two *angels arrived at Sodom in the evening. Lot was sitting at the gate of Sodom city. Lot stood up when he saw the *angels. And he *bowed down to the ground to greet them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lot said, \lquote Sirs, now that you are here, please come to your servant\rquote s house. Stay with me and wash your feet. Then you can continue your journey early tomorrow.\rquote
\par But they said, \lquote No, we will spend the night in the street.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, Lot urged them strongly. So they came and stayed at Lot\rquote
s house. Lot prepared a big meal and he baked bread without *yeast. And they ate. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Before Lot and the *angels had gone to bed, the other men in Sodom city surrounded Lot\rquote s house. There were both young men and old men. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They called out to Lot. They said, \lquote Where are the men that came to you tonight? Bring them out here to us, so that we can have sex with them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Lot went outside, but he shut the door behind him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 He said, \lquote Please do not be so evil, my brothers. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Look. I have two daughters that have never had sex. Let me bring them out to you. You can do to them what you want. However, do not touch these visitors. They have come into my house and I must protect them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the crowd said, \lquote
Get out of the way. You came to live here as a stranger. Now you tell us what we should do! Now we shall do worse things to you than to those men.\rquote Then they pushed Lot in a strong way and they went to break the door.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the visitors put out their hands. They dragged Lot inside the house with them. They shut the door. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There were both young and old men at the entrance to the house. They were trying to find the doorway, but they finally gave up. They could not find it because Lot\rquote s
visitors had suddenly made them blind.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the visitors said to Lot, \lquote Have you any other family here? Bring them out from this place. Bring out your daughters\rquote
husbands, your sons, your daughters and all your other family. Take them all away from this city. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
We intend to destroy it. The protests to the *Lord against its people are great. So he has sent us to destroy it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Lot went out and he spoke to his daughters\rquote future husbands. They would marry his daughters soon. Lot said, \lquote Hurry and leav
e this place. Leave it because the *Lord will soon destroy this city.\rquote But his daughters\rquote future husbands thought that he was joking.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 At dawn, the *angels urged Lot to hurry. They said, \lquote Hurry! Take your wife. And take your two daughters that are here.
The *Lord will punish the people in the city. If you do not go now, then you will die as well.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Lot hesitated. So the men seized his hand and they took his wife and two daughters. The *Lord had *mercy towards him. The *angels brought Lot
\rquote s family out and the *angels took them outside the city. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Immediately the *angels said, \lquote
Run away to save your life. Do not look behind you. Do not stay in this valley. Run away to the hills. So then you will not die when God kills the other people.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Lot answered, \lquote No, my *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You have been very kind to me, your servant. And you have kindly saved my life. I cannot run away to the hills. If I do that, something bad will happen to me. And I shall die. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There is a city near here. It is near enough so that we can get there. It is a very small city; so let me go there. It is such a small city and I shall be safe there.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 One *angel said to Lot, \lquote I will be kind to you. I will not destroy the city that you are talking about. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hurry up. Run away to it. I cannot do anything until you are safe inside the city.\rquote That is why the city is called Zoar. (\lquote Zoar\rquote in *Hebrew means \lquote small
\rquote .)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 As the sun rose, Lot entered Zoar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord God immediately sent down *sulphur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah from the sky. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord destroyed those cities. He destroyed the entire valley and he killed the people in it. He destroyed everything that was growing. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Lot
\rquote s wife looked back. And as a result, she became a column of salt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham went to the place where he had talked to the *Lord. Abraham went there early in the morning. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham looked down over Sodom and Gomorrah. And he looked down over all the valley. He saw the smoke that was rising. It was like the smoke from a very big
oven. (That means an oven that people used to burn something.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When God destroyed the cities in the valley, he thought about Abraham. God loved Abraham. God did destroy the cities where Lot lived. But before that, he sent Lot away out of danger.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses
1-2 Lot was sitting at the gate of the city. At the gate, elders met together to make judgements. (Elders were important citizens that the people respected.) Maybe the people respected Lot because he was honest. Or maybe he was sitting there to avoid the
people in the city. Perhaps he wanted to avoid them because they were so wicked. Perhaps the citizens did not want him to be with them.
\par Lot gave a big welcome to the visitors and he respected them greatly. Lot knew how wicked the people in Sodom were. And
so he did not want the visitors to be in the street at night. We do not know why the visitors did not want to stay with Lot. Maybe the visitors were just testing Lot. Maybe they were testing whether he wanted to do the right thing.
\par Verse 3 Lot almost pushed the visitors into his house! He fed them well.
\par Verses 4-5 Lot was kind to his visitors. But the men in Sodom were very cruel. They tried to force Lot\rquote s visitors to have sex with them.
\par Verses 6-9 Lot went outside (verse 6). That shows how wicked all the p
eople in Sodom were. Lot showed great courage. He was trying to protect his visitors. So, Lot went outside alone and he shut the door behind him. Lot offered to bring out his daughters. Then the men in Sodom could do whatever they wanted to them. That was
an awful thing to offer. But Lot was desperate to protect his guests. And God protected Lot. God did not punish good people as well as wicked people.
\par Verses 10-11 In Hebrews 13:2 we read, \lquote Always give a welcome to strangers because in that way some people have given a welcome to *angels. And those people did not know it!\rquote
Here in Genesis chapters 18 and 19, we can see something similar. Lot did not know that the strangers were *angels. But he gave a welcome to them. In the end, Lot\rquote s guests (the *angels) saved him. They shut the door. And they made the men blind.
\par The crowd still tried to get into Lot\rquote s house, even when they were blind! They were completely evil. The *angels protected the house, so that nobody found the door.
\par Verses 12-14 Lot listened to the *angels\rquote message. He had just seen how completely evil his neighbours were. He was not responsible for his daughters\rquote
future husbands. God was giving a last chance for them to escape from the city. Lot was brave enough to go out again. He went out to warn those men. But they laughed at him.
\par In Genesis 17:19, the name \lquote Isaac\rquote meant \lquote he laughed\rquote . The name especially made people think about God\rquote s *blessing. But here, when the husbands laughed at God, that was dangerous.
\par Verses 15-16 The *angels warned Lot that
he should get out of Sodom quickly. Lot and his family needed to go immediately when daylight came. Lot probably had other married daughters in Sodom. Lot did not obey God immediately like Noah and Abraham did. Lot was in great danger. That shows again h
ow evil the people in Sodom were. God showed great *mercy towards Lot. But the people in Sodom were so wicked that God had to punish them. That was because God is holy.
\par Verses 17-20 Lot appealed to God. He asked God to save Zoar.
\par Abraham had also appealed t
o God. He loved the people in Sodom and he cared about them. So he had asked God to save Sodom. Lot, however, was selfish when he asked God to save Zoar. Lot asked it because he needed a place to live. And Zoar was a city. He thought that it would be a be
t
ter place to live than the mountains. Although the people there were not *righteous, it was only a small city. So maybe God would be willing to save it. But Lot still did not hurry. He still wanted to do things in his own way. He was not willing to trust
that God knew best.
\par Verse 21 God answered Lot\rquote s prayer for Zoar, although it was a selfish prayer. God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah very quickly. The valley had been a very good place where food plants grew well. But now nothing would grow there. And one ca
n still smell *sulphur there.
\par Verse 26 Lot\rquote s wife did not obey the *Lord, and so the *Lord did not save her. She liked to live in Sodom and she did not want to leave. Maybe when she brought up her daughters, she did not teach them to trust God. Maybe she d
id not teach them to do the right things in their lives.
\par \lquote She became a column of salt.\rquote When we first read that, it may seem very strange! But when God destroyed the cities and the valley, he sent fire and *sulphur. And he used such great force that it pus
hed many substances from the ground into the air. Many substances mixed together. So, the air became full of some kind of salt. When Lot\rquote
s wife turned round, the wind blew the salt into her face. So, suddenly she could not breathe and she died. The salt was so thick that it quickly covered her body. So then, her dead body was just standing there like a column of salt.
\par Verses 27-29 God thought about Abraham, and God saved Lot because of Abraham\rquote s prayer. God can save other people when we pray.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lot and his daughters, 19:30-38
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Lot left Zoar. He lived in the hills with his two daughters. He was afraid to live in Zoar. He and his two daughters lived in a cave. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So the older daughter said to her younger sister, \lquote Our father is old. There is no man anywhere in this area to have sex with us. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Let us make our father *drunk with wine, so that we can have sex with him. Then we can have children from our father.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So that night they made their father *drunk with wine. Then the older daughter went in and
she had sex with her father. She was with him and then she left. However, he did not know that.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Next morning, the older daughter said to her younger sister, \lquote
I had sex with my father last night. Let us make him *drunk tonight as well. Then you can have sex with him, and we shall have children from our father.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 That night they made their father *drunk with wine again. Then the younger daughter went in and she had sex with him. She was with him and then she left. However, he did not know that.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Both Lot\rquote s daughters became *pregnant from their father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The older daughter had a son, whom she called Moab. He is the *ancestor of the people called Moabites. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The younger daughter also had a son, whom she called Ben-Ammi. He is the *ancestor of the people called Ammonites.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Verses 30-38 Lot soon left Zoar. God had promised to keep him safe there. But Lot did not trust God. Lot went to live in a cave with his daughters. He had been very rich. And he had lived in an area where crops grew easily. But now
he lived in a cave. He owned just a few things and most people in his family were dead.
\par Like Noah, Lot drank too much. But Noah had first *worshipped God. And he did not get as deeply *drunk as Lot did. Lot\rquote s daughters acted in a worse way towards their father than Noah\rquote s son acted towards his father. Lot\rquote
s older daughter made things seem worse for her than they really were. There were young men not far away, whom she could marry. And neither girl suggested that they could go to Abraham for help. Lot got *d
runk on the second night too. He did not know what his daughter had done on the first night. Even so, he was foolish. The daughters made their father *drunk. They knew that their actions were wrong. People realised that sex between close members in a fami
ly was wrong. However, God did not punish Lot\rquote s *descendants because of that. In fact, the *descendants of both sons became important nations.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 20
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham and Abimelech
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham went from that place to the area called the Negev. He lived between the cities called Kadesh and Shur. And he stayed in Gerar for some time. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And Abraham said that Sarah was his sister. So Abimelech, the king of Gerar, sent for Sarah. And he took her into his *household.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God came to Abimelech in a dream one night. And God said to him, \lquote You will soon die, because you have taken a married woman.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now Abimelech had not touched Sarah. So he said, \lquote *Lord, I cannot believe that you will kill an innocent nation. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said to me, \'93She is my sister.\'94 Sarah too said, \'93He is my brother.\'94 So I took her into my house. I did not know that it was wrong.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said this to Abimelech in his dream. \lquote It was wrong for you to take Sarah. But I know
that you did not know it. So I did not let you touch her. I prevented you. So then you would not *sin against me in that way. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now give back the man
\rquote s wife. He is a *prophet. He will then pray for you, so that you will live. But if you are not willing to give her back, then you will certainly die. And all that belong to you will certainly die.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So early in the morning Abimelech called all his servants. He told all the servants about his dream. They were very afraid. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abimelech called Abraham. He said to Abraham, \lquote
You have done a very wrong thing to us. You have caused very bad things to happen to me and to my *kingdom. I have not *sinned against you. You have done things to me that you should never have done.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech said to Abraham, \lquote Why did you do this?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham replied, \lquote I was sure that you did not have fear towards God here. I thought that your men would kill me in order to take my wife. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She is in fact my sister too. My father was also her father, although we had different mothers. She then became my wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God made me go away from my father\rquote s house. So I said to her, \'93
Please be kind to me and do this. Tell people that I am your brother. Tell that to whomever we meet.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abimelech took sheep, *cattle, male slaves and female slaves. And he gave them to Abraham. He gave Abraham\rquote s wife Sarah back to Abraham. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech also said, \lquote Look! Here is my country. Live wherever you like.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech then said to Sarah, \lquote Look! I am giving 1000 silver *shekels to your
brother. That money is for you. It is because of what happened. So now I have settled the matter.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham prayed to God. God cured Abimelech and his wife and slaves, so that they had children. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Because of Sarah, Abraham\rquote s wife, they had all been unable to have children. That was because the *Lord had prevented them.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We do not know why Abraham went to live somewhere else. Maybe he felt too close to the place where the cities called Sodom and Gomorrah had been. God had destroyed those cities. The a
sh and other substances that came from there probably affected a large area. Maybe those substances spoilt the land where Abraham\rquote s animals ate grass. He went south to live just outside Canaan.
\par Abraham was again afraid. So he said that Sarah was his sister
. Abraham had done that in Egypt too (Genesis chapter 12). He did not think about the trouble that it might cause to other people. The punishment for *adultery was death. Abimelech did not belong to the nation that God had specially chosen. But God showed
his *mercy to Abimelech. God spoke to him in a dream. God warned him in that way. Abimelech did not *sin, because God prevented him. Therefore God did not make him die.
\par Abimelech acted very well. He said that he was innocent. He said that his people were innocent. He did not get angry and he did not blame Abraham too severely. Abimelech respected Abraham because Abraham was a *prophet.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 The writer has already told us that Sarah was a very beautiful woman (Genesis 12:14). Althou
gh Sarah was now old, she was still beautiful. Abraham was afraid that someone might kill him in order to marry Sarah. So, Abraham and Sarah pretended that they were not married.
\par Verse 3 For \lquote a married woman\rquote , the *Hebrew text could mean \lquote a woman that an owner owns\rquote . By means of Adam and Eve, God showed that a wife was her husband\rquote
s most precious possession. She was also a close companion, whom he loved very much. And she helped her husband much. Anyone that took a married woman away from her husband was *sinning greatly.
\par Verse 4 Abimelech did not touch Sarah, because God prevented him. We do not know how God prevented him. Maybe Abimelech was ill. He worried about his people. Abraham had worried similarly about the people in Sodom. Here, Abraham did not see
m to be worried about Sarah. Maybe he thought, \lquote It is very important that I should stay alive.\rquote Then he could have a son, as God had promised. So if Abraham stayed alive, he would be \lquote helping\rquote
God to carry out that promise. But God is able to carry out his
promises. God does not need our help. We just need to trust him. God could take care of Abraham in any circumstance. Abraham should have known that. God considered *adultery as a *sin. But he kept Sarah safe. There was no possibility that Abimelech might
be Isaac\rquote s father.
\par Verse 7 Abimelech did not argue with God. He gave Sarah back to Abraham. God showed that Abraham was \lquote special\rquote . God told Abimelech that Abraham was a *prophet. Abraham would pray to God on behalf of Abimelech.
\par Verse 8-11 Abimelech respected Abraham\rquote
s God. Abimelech believed that God knew the truth about the situation. So Abimelech listened to God. Abraham had said that people in Gerar did not respect God. But Abimelech showed that Abraham had been wrong about that.
\par Abimelech acted better than *Pharaoh had acted earlier, in Egypt. Abimelech gave Abraham the opportunity to explain.
\par Abraham had acted badly. He had not told all the truth. He had not acted as a guest should act. That was very important. He had really believed that the people in Gerar did not respect God. But Abraham still went to live there.
\par Verse 12 Sarah was Abraham\rquote s half-sister. That is, they had only one parent in common. Later, God did not allow men to marry their half-sisters. But here God probably did allow Abraham to do that.
\par Verse 13 Abraham had already prepared for a situation where some other man might want to take Sarah. Abraham had already told her to say everywhere that Abraham was her brother. So they were saying something that was only partly true. And they had e
ven said it before they needed to do so. Abraham was not ready to trust God. Abraham took many years to learn that he should trust God in every situation.
\par Verses 14-16 Abimelech was very kind to Abraham. He gave Sarah back to Abraham. Abimelech also gave v
ery great wealth to Abraham. He even invited Abraham to live in Gerar. 1000 *shekels was an enormous amount of money. A bridegroom usually gave a gift to his bride\rquote
s family so that he could marry the bride. But 50 *shekels was the biggest amount of money t
hat a man would give for that. In Babylonia, an ordinary workman earned half a *shekel a month. Abimelech gave the money in order to settle the matter. He was showing that he was sorry about his actions. He was still sorry, although he had not acted on pu
rpose. He repaid Sarah because she had suffered. Abraham took the money and the animals. He showed that he did not blame Abimelech.
\par Verse 17-18 It had become clear that the women in Gerar could not have children. So we think that Sarah was in Abimelech\rquote s *household for several weeks or several months.
\par God sometimes caused women not to have children. And at other times he gave children to women. Both those facts are clear. For a long time, God caused Sarah not to have children. When, at last, a child was born
, people would thank God very much for that. Because of that, they would know how very wonderful God is. Similarly in John 9:3, Jesus says this. \lquote
This man was blind when he was born, for this reason. God wants to show his power to people when I cure the man.\rquote God called Abraham a *prophet. God answered Abraham\rquote s prayers for Abimelech. God did not expect Abraham to be \lquote perfect
\rquote before God answered his prayers.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 21
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 At last, the son that God had promised
was born to Sarah and Abraham. Both parents were very joyful at the birth of their child. Everybody had thought that Sarah was too old to have a baby. So they were especially happy when her son was born. Abraham named his son Isaac. Isaac means \lquote
laughter\rquote . But Abraham\rquote s other son, Ishmael, was not glad. Until Isaac was born, Ishmael was Abraham\rquote s only son. Ishmael had become a young man. And Ishmael thought that, after Abraham\rquote s death, he (Ishmael) would lead Abraham
\rquote s family.
\par The birth of Isaac changed eve
rything for Ishmael. Ishmael was merely the son of a slave. He knew that he would never be as important as Isaac. So, Ishmael was cruel to Isaac. Abraham had to send Ishmael away. God told Abraham that he (God) would make Ishmael successful. But Abraham m
ust look after Isaac. Isaac was Abraham\rquote s special son. Isaac was the son that God promised to Abraham.
\par Abraham made another *covenant (agreement) at this time. This was a peace agreement with the leaders of the people called *Philistines. Abraham lived in their country for a long time. He made his home there. And in that place, he prayed to God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s sons, 21:1-21
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord visited Sarah, as he had said. He carried out his promise to Sarah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Sarah became *pregnant. And she had a baby son for Abr
aham. This son was born at the exact time that God had promised such a long time before.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham called his new son Isaac. Isaac had been born to Sarah for Abraham. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Isaac was 8 days old, Abraham *circumcised him. It was what God had ordered Abraham to do. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born for him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Sarah said, \lquote God has made me laugh. Everyone that hears it will laugh with me.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She also said, \lquote Nobody could have told Abraham that Sarah would feed sons from her breast. But although Abraham is old, I have had his baby son.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The baby grew and Sarah began to give solid food to him. So Abraham organised a big *feast on the day when Isaac stopped drinking milk from his mother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Sarah saw Abraham\rquote s other son. Hagar the *Egyptian had given birth to that son for Abraham. That other son was laughing at Isaac. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 So Sarah said to Abraham, \lquote Send away this woman that is a slave. And send away her son too. That son of a female slave shall not *inherit with my son, Isaac.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Because of Sarah\rquote s words, Abraham was very cross and he was unhappy for his son (Ishmael). }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But God said to Abraham, \lquote Do not be unhappy about the boy and your female slave. Your *descendants that I choose will come by means of Isaac. So do what Sarah says. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, I will also make the son of your female slave into a nation. I will do that because he is your son too.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So, early in the morning, Abraham gave bread to Hagar. And he gave to her a bottle that someone had made out of skin. The bottle
had water in it. He put those onto her shoulder and he sent her off with the child. She left. And she wandered in the desert near Beersheba.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When they had drunk all the water from the bottle, she put her son under one of the bushes there. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She went
and she sat down by herself. She did not want to see her child die. So she sat a little distance away, about as far as an *arrow goes. She sat there and she began to cry loudly.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But God heard the boy\rquote s voice. So the *angel of God called from heaven. The *angel called to Hagar and he said this to her: \lquote
You need not be upset, Hagar. Do not be afraid, because God has heard the boy\rquote s voice. He has heard the boy there where he is. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Go and get the boy up. Hold him firmly with your hand. I will make him into a great nation.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then God showed to her a well with water. She had not seen the well before. So she went. And she took the bottle that someone had made out of skin. She filled it with water and she gave a drink to the boy.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So God was with the boy. The boy grew up and he lived in the desert. He became skilful with a bow and *arrows. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He lived in the desert called Paran, and his mother chose an *Egyptian wife for him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-7 At last, when Abraham was very old, his special son was born. Abraham had to wait for a long time until this son was born. But God always does the things that he promises to do. We can always trust God.
\par Verse 1 Sarah probably did not see God. The writer means that God allowed her to become *pregnant. Isaac\rquote s birth happened when Abraham and Sarah were very old. So it was a very wonderful thing, because it would have been impossible without God
\rquote s action. The writer emphasises how wonderful it was. (Look also at verses 2, 5 and 7.)
\par Verse 2 In Genesis 18:14, God told Abraham when the son would be born. So, Isaac\rquote s birth happened at the time that God promised.
\par Verse 3 The father usually named a new baby. In that way, he showed that he accepted the baby into his family.
\par Verses 4-5 Abraham obeyed God\rquote s command in Genesis 17:12.
\par Verse 6 The name \lquote Isaac\rquote means \lquote laughter\rquote .
\par Verse 8 Isaac may have been nearly three years old at that time.
\par Verse 9 Ishmael was not still the most important son. He insulted Isaac because he (Ishmael) was jealous of Isaac\rquote s importance in the family.
\par Verse 10 Sarah did not want trouble between Ishmael and Isaac. She realised that these troubles might become more serious. Isaac would become the head (leader) of the family when Abraham died. Sarah did not want Ishmael to oppose Isaac\rquote
s right to lead the family. Paul discusses this situation in Galatians 4:30. He explains that Isaac was born because of God\rquote
s promise. So, Isaac was born by the power of the Holy Spirit. But Ishmael was born in the natural way. Christians too should live by the power of the Holy Spiri
t. But other people live in an ordinary way. So, Christians should not be surprised if other people oppose them. And Christians should not copy the behaviour of people who are not Christians.
\par Verses 11-13 We can see that Abraham loved Ishmael. Ishmael was a son of Abraham. But Ishmael was not the son that God had chosen. However, God looked after Hagar and Ishmael.
\par Verse 14 Even when Abraham was sad, he was always willing to obey God immediately. And Abraham was confident about Ishmael because of God\rquote s promise in verse 13.
\par Abraham tried to provide for Hagar and Ishmael. He gave them food and water. But Abraham was living near Beersheba. And Beersheba is near to the desert. Hagar and Ishmael were not used to life in the desert.
\par Verses 15-16 The desert is hot,
and very dry. Hagar had a similar experience in Genesis 16:6-10. Ishmael had not yet been born then. Ishmael was now a youth. But he still became weak before Hagar did. Hagar was sure that he would die. She thought that the situation was hopeless.
\par Verses 17-18 Hagar did not need to feel hopeless. God had already made a promise about Ishmael\rquote s future (Genesis 16:10; 17:20 and 21:13). But God heard Ishmael\rquote s cry for help. And the *angel repeated God\rquote s promise to Hagar.
\par Verse 19 For the second time, God provided water in the desert for Hagar.
\par Verses 20-21 Ishmael continued to live in the desert. It seems that he learned to live there. Ishmael married and he had 12 sons. Like Ishmael himself, Ishmael\rquote s *descendants also li
ved in the desert. And they became a great nation, as God had promised (Genesis 25:13-18).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham and Abimelech make a *covenant, 21:22-34
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Abimelech and Phicol (the head of Abimelech\rquote s army) said this to Abraham: \lquote God is with you. He is present in everything that you do. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 So promise this very seriously to me here in God\rquote s name. Promise that you will not cheat me or my family or *descendants. I have been kind to you. So promise very seriously that you will be kind to me. And promise very serious
ly that you will be loyal to this country where you are living.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham replied, \lquote I promise it very seriously.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Abimelech\rquote s servants had seized a well that contained water. That well belonged to Abraham, so Abraham complained to Abimelech. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech replied, \lquote I do not know who did this. You did not tell me. Until today, I had not heard about it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham took sheep and *cattle and he gave them to Abimelech. He and Abimelech made a *covenant together. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham then put aside by themselves 7 female *lambs from the *flock. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abimelech asked Abraham, \lquote Why have you put these 7 female *lambs by themselves?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham replied, \lquote Please take these 7 female *lambs. It will show that I dug this well.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech and Abraham declared an *oath to each other there and Abraham called the place Beersheba.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abimelech and Abraham had made a *covenant at Beersheba. After that Abimelech and Phicol, the head of Abimelech\rquote
s army, stood up. And they went back to that country where the *Philistines lived. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham planted a tamarisk (a kind of tree) in Beersheba. And he prayed to the *Lord, the God who is always the same. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham stayed in that country where the *Philistines lived. He stayed there for a long time.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 22-24 Pe
ople knew very well that God was *blessing Abraham. Abraham had become a very wealthy man. He had many servants, and they looked after many animals. Abimelech and Phicol did not want to fight Abraham and his servants. So they asked for a peace agreement.
And Abraham was pleased to agree with them. He also wanted peace.
\par Verses 25-26 Wells are very important in hot countries, where there is not much rain. Abraham and Abimelech wanted to deal with this matter. They did not want any arguments to damage their agreement.
\par Verses 27-28 Abraham gave gifts to Abimelech because Abimelech was the king. He was the king of that country where Abraham was living. Abraham could not prove that he dug the well. So he gave Abimelech a special gift for the well. This was a type
of legal agreement in ancient times.
\par Abraham needed to make clear that he owned the well. So then he could get the water that he needed.
\par Verse 31 In the *Hebrew name \lquote Beersheba\rquote , the word \lquote sheba\rquote means both \lquote seven\rquote and \lquote *oath\rquote . \lquote Beer\rquote means \lquote well\rquote .
\par Verse 32 This was a *covenant between two people. Usually, when two people made a *covenant, they often used the same words. For example, they promised to be \lquote kind and loyal\rquote . (Look at verse 23.)
\par Verse 33 Abraham planted a tree. He intended to live there. Then he
would be able to see the tree and he could look after it. He chose that place as a place for prayer. As he prayed, he trusted God more. In chapter 22 we shall see how much Abraham had learned to trust God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 22
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham and Isaac
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Later, God tested Abraham. God said to him,
\lquote Abraham!\rquote
\par Abraham replied, \lquote Here I am.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said, \lquote
Please take your son Isaac, your precious child, whom you love. Go to the district called Moriah. Offer Isaac there as a *burnt offering on a mountain. I shall show you which mountain.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Abraham got up early in the morning and he put a saddle on his *donkey. He took two young servants with him, and he took his son Isaac. He cut wood for the *burnt offering. Then he set out on his journey. And he went to the place that God had said. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the third day, Abraham looked up and he saw the place a long way away. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham said to his young servants, \lquote Stay here by yourselves with the *donkey. I and the boy will go over there. We will *worship and we will return to you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham then took the wood for the fire and he put it on his son Isaac. Abraham himself carried the fire and the knife. So they both went together. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac said to his father Abraham, \lquote My father!\rquote
\par Abraham replied, \lquote I am here, my son.\rquote
\par Isaac said, \lquote Here are the fire and the wood, but where is the *lamb for the *burnt offering?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham replied, \lquote God will provide himself the *lamb for the burnt offering, my son.\rquote So they both continued their journey together.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham and Isaac came to the pl
ace where God had told Abraham to go. Abraham built an *altar there and he laid the wood on it. He then bound Isaac, his son. And he laid Isaac on top of the wood on the *altar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham put out his hand. And he took the knife in order to kill his son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But the *angel of the *Lord called to him. The *angel called from heaven and he said, \lquote Abraham, Abraham!\rquote
\par Abraham answered, \lquote I am here.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel said, \lquote
Do not kill the young man and do not hurt him in any way. Now I know that you respect God. I know it because you gave back to me your son, your only son.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham looked up and he saw a *ram. The *ram had put its head into a bush and its *horns had stu
ck in the branches. So it could not get free. So Abraham went there and he seized the *ram. Then he burned it on the *altar. He burned the *ram as a *burnt offering instead of his son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham called the place, \lquote The *Lord will provide\rquote . People still say today, \lquote On the mountain of the *Lord, he will provide.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *angel of the *Lord called again to Abraham from heaven. The *angel called from heaven and he said this: }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote The *Lord says, \'93I have made this very serious promise and I have *confi
rmed it with my own name. You have done this thing. You have not kept your son, your only son, from me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Therefore I will really *bless you. You will have as many *descendants as there are stars in the sky. Or as there are many tiny pieces of sand on the beach. Your *descendants will take possession of the gate of their enemies\rquote cities. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will *bless all the nations on earth because of your *descendants. And I will *bless the nations because you have obeyed my commands.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham returned to his young servants. And they stood up and they went together to Beersheba. Abraham stayed to live in Beersheba.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After that, Abraham heard that Milcah had given birth. She had given birth to children for Abraham\rquote s brother Nahor. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Uz was the oldest son. Buz was his brother, and so were Aram\rquote s father Kemuel, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Chesed, Hazo, Pildash, Jidlaph and Bethuel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Bethuel was Rebekah\rquote
s father. Milcah gave birth to those 8 sons for Nahor, Abraham\rquote s brother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Nahor\rquote s *concubine, Reumah, also gave birth to
sons for him. She gave birth to Tebah, Gaham, Tahash and Maacah.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 During his whole life, Abraham was learning to trust God more and more. In this chapter, it is clear that Abraham trusted God completely.
\par Abraham did not know why God was testing him. But Abraham could recognise God\rquote
s voice. Christians too should be able to recognise when God is guiding them to do something (John 10:2-5). But God has also provided other methods to guide Christians today. We can read the Bible. God never wants us to do anythin
g that is against his instructions in the Bible. And God has also provided church leaders to help us. They are not always right. But we should listen carefully to their advice.
\par We might ask why God wanted Abraham to offer Isaac as a *sacrifice. The Bible c
learly teaches that murder is wicked (Deuteronomy 5:17). The answer is that God never wanted Abraham to kill Isaac. God stopped Abraham before Abraham could hurt Isaac. So God had a different plan. God was not really asking Abraham to kill Isaac. In fact,
God was asking Abraham to prove that he (Abraham) would always trust God.
\par Abraham did not know about God\rquote s plan to save Isaac. But Abraham realised that God had such a plan. He told his servants that he would bring Isaac back to them (verse 5). He told Isa
ac that God would provide the *lamb for the *sacrifice (verse 8). Hebrews 11:17-19 explains what Abraham was thinking. He knew that God could even make dead people live again. And Abraham knew the promises that God made about Isaac. So, Abraham was confid
ent that he could trust God. And Abraham was right. Abraham soon discovered that God\rquote s plan was to save Isaac.
\par We can only really understand this event if we think about Jesus. If God had not stopped Abraham, Isaac would have died. But God had a plan to save Isaac. God provided that a sheep would die instead of Isaac. In the same way, we all deserve God\rquote
s punishment because of our evil deeds (Romans 6:23). But God sent his son, Jesus, to die in our place. And God will forgive us if we trust him. We should confess our evil deeds to God. And we should invite him into our lives.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 God does not tempt anyone to do an evil deed (James 1:13). God was testing Abraham. God wanted to see whether Abraham would trust him.
\par Verse 2 God said \lquote your precious child\rquote . The *Hebrew word for \lquote precious\rquote may mean \lquote only\rquote
. Abraham did have an older son, Ishmael. But Isaac was the only son that Sarah had given birth to. Isaac was the son that God had chosen especially.
\par The writer wrote this story very simply. Abraham did not argue with God. Abraham obeyed God immediately. God\rquote
s command here was very difficult for Abraham to obey. Abraham did not know how God would save Isaac. And God does not want anyone to *sacrifice people. He had promised that Abraham would h
ave many *descendants by means of Isaac. Abraham had already lost Ishmael, whom he loved. (He had to send Ishmael away.) It would be terrible if Abraham lost Isaac too. Isaac could have refused to be a *sacrifice. He was strong enough to refuse. However,
Abraham still trusted God. Abraham himself did everything that was necessary.
\par We do not know why God tested Abraham in that way. In other religions, people did *sacrifice children to their gods. But the Bible clearly teaches that it is wrong to *sacrifice c
hildren. Maybe God needed to show that fact to Abraham. Abraham would never forget what happened here. Nor would Isaac forget. Isaac was very special. His birth was a miracle (a very wonderful thing that cannot happen in a natural way). And in this chapte
r, God would save him from death. This story shows how God would later *sacrifice his own son, Jesus. So then, by means of Jesus, God would *bless all nations. (See Genesis 12:3.)
\par Verse 4 The journey to Moriah took three days.
\par Verse 5 We do not really know what Abraham was thinking. Maybe he really believed that he would come back to his servants with Isaac. Abraham did consider that God could bring Isaac back from death. (Look at Hebrews 11:19.)
\par Verses 6-8 Again, we do not really know what Abraham was thinking. Maybe he thought that God would provide a *lamb. And then Abraham would be able to *sacrifice the *lamb instead of Isaac.
\par Verse 9 Isaac was willing to obey Abraham. Isaac could have refused to obey.
\par Verses 10-11 God did not allow Abraham to hurt Isaac.
\par Verse 12 Abraham was willing to trust God for everything. God mattered more to Abraham than anything else.
\par Verses 13-14 The sheep died instead of Isaac. This event teaches us about God\rquote s kindness. God does not want us to die because of our evil deeds. God provided Jesus to die as a *sacrifice. And if we invite Jesus into our lives, God will forgive us.
\par Verses 15-18 God was not making these great promises to Abraham as a prize. He did not make them just because Abraham was good. It was not just because Abr
aham offered Isaac. God is always good and *merciful to all kinds of people. He owes nothing to anyone. But some people do love God and they obey him. And he is pleased to *bless those people.
\par In verse 17, God promised Abraham that his (Abraham\rquote s) *descendants would overcome their enemies. The gates of cities were very important places to defend.
\par Verses 20-24 The writer did not tell about everyone\rquote s families here. He mentioned Nahor\rquote s family because Isaac would marry Rebekah. And Rebekah was Nahor\rquote s granddaughter.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 23
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Sarah dies and Abraham buries her
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Sarah lived for 127 years. That was her age when she died. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Sarah died in Kiriath-Arba. (That is, Hebron.) It is in that country called Canaan. Abraham went to weep about her. And he expressed that he was very sad because of her death.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham stood up from next to his dead wife and he spoke to the family of Heth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote I am only a foreigner who is living among you. Give to me a grave in your country. So then I will be able to bury my dead wife properly.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The family of Heth replied to Abraham and they said this. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 \lquote Listen to us, my *lord. You are a great prince among us. Please bury your dead people in the best grave that we have. Nobody here would refuse to give his grave to you so that you can bury your dead people.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham stood up. And he *bowed to the family of Heth, who lived in that country. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8-9}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He appealed to them, \lquote I would like to bury my dead people properly. If you are pleased to let me, then listen to me. Please persuade Ephron, Zohar\rquote
s son, to sell the cave in Machpelah to me. He owns the cave. It is at the edge of his field. Let him sell it to me now as a grave. Let him sell it at the full price. You will be witnesses to that.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now Ephron was sitting among the family of Heth, so Ephron, from Heth\rquote
s family answered Abraham. Many members of the family of Heth were going in at the gate of the city. They were all listening to Ephron. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He said,
\lquote No, my *lord, please listen to me. I give the field to you and I give the cave in it. My people\rquote s sons here are witnesses that I give it to you. So bury your dead people.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abraham *bowed down in front of the people in that country. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He spoke to Ephron and the people listened. \lquote Please, listen to me. I will pay the right price for the field. Please take the money, so that I can bury my dead people there.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ephron answered Abraham, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
My *lord, listen to me. The price of the field is 400 *shekels. The price is not important to you or me. Do bury your dead people.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham agreed with Ephron. He weighed out 400 *shekels of silver for Ephron. He did it with the scales that the mercha
nts used. The chief men in the family of Heth were witnesses to the sale.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17-18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abraham became the owner of Ephron\rquote
s field. That field was in Machpelah, which was east from Mamre. There was a cave in it, and there were trees. Abraham bought all that. And the members of Heth\rquote s family who were at the gate were witnesses. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After that, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in that cave. The cave was in the field in Machpelah. That place was east from Mamre (which is Hebron). It is in that country called Canaan. }
{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham bought the field and cave from the family of Heth and he became the owner. He used the field and cave to bury dead people.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Sarah died, it was Abraham\rquote s duty to bury her body. It was the custom to bury bodies soon after death. So, these events may have happened on the day when Sarah died, or the day after.
\par Abraham was living in the country that belonged to the family of Heth. He did not own any land there to use as Sarah\rquote s grave. So he asked to buy some land. He wanted to bury Sarah near Mamre, where Abraham used to live (Genesis 18:1).
\par The members of Heth\rquote s family respected Abraham and Sarah greatly. They offered to give the land to Abraham. But Abraham insisted that he would buy it. So, for the first time, Abraham bought land in the country
called Canaan. Canaan was the country that God had promised to Abraham\rquote s *descendants (Genesis 17:8). Abraham knew that his *descendants would live away from Canaan for 400 years (Genesis 15:13). But Abraham trusted God\rquote
s promises. So, Abraham bought the land. He was confident that his *descendants would return there.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 The writer mentions Sarah\rquote s age when she died. Usually, the writer only mentioned the ages of men when they died. But he wanted to remind us that Sarah was very important.
\par Verses 3-5 Abraham was very polite to the members of Heth\rquote s family. They said that they would give a grave to him. It was important for Abraham to pay for it. So then it was really his own property. He might have had to serve them in some way i
f he had not given money. That land was in the country that God had promised to Abraham. It was the first land that Abraham owned in that country. Abraham was showing that his *descendants would belong there.
\par Verse 6 In *Hebrew, \lquote great prince\rquote might also mean \lquote God\rquote s prince\rquote .
\par Verses 7-9 Abraham chose the land that he wanted to buy. He was happy to pay the proper price for it. He wanted the best grave for Sarah, whom he loved.
\par Verse 10 At the gate, people decided about important things. The important people met there. Abraham made sure that he did things properly. And the members of Heth\rquote s family realised this.
\par Verse 11 Ephron\rquote s words may mean that he wanted to give the land to Abraham. But perhaps Ephron was just being polite.
\par Verses 12-15 Abraham would not accept a gift. He wanted to pay.
\par Verse 16 It seems that Abraham probably paid a lot of money to Ephron. But we do not know how big the field was. Abraham did not argue about the price. He urgently wanted to have a place where he could bury Sarah.
\par Verses 17-20 Abraham became the legal owner of the field and the cave. They would always belong to his *descendants.
\par Abraham was a \lquote foreigner\rquote and he had no rights among those people (verse 4). However, they called him \lquote a great prince\rquote or \lquote God\rquote s prince\rquote (verse 6). We too are strangers on the earth, but God has chosen us.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 24
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A wife for Isaac
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham was an old man. The *Lord had *blessed him in everything during all his long life. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote
s oldest servant had the responsibility for everything that Abraham had. Abraham said to him, \lquote Put your hand under my *thigh. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Please make a very serious promise. And declare that the *Lord God of heaven and earth is your witness. I live among the *Canaanites. However, do not choose anyone among their daughters as my son\rquote s wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Go to my country and my family to choose a wife for my son Isaac. Please promise that to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant replied, \lquote Perhaps the woman will not follow me to this country. Must I take your son back to the country that you came from?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham said to him, \lquote Make sure that you never take my son back there. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord God of heaven took me from my father\rquote s house. And he took me from that country where I was born. He spoke to me and he promised this. \'93I will give this country to your *descendants.\'94
He will send his *angel ahead of you. You shall choose a wife for my son. You shall choose her from the place where my relatives are. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You have made this *oath to me. But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you are free from it. But never take my son back to the country that I came from.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the servant put his hand under his master Abraham\rquote s *thigh. Then he made a very serious promise. He promised that he would do what Abraham had ordered.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So the servant took 10 camels that belonged to his master. And the servant left. He also took all kinds of special gifts from his master. The servant set out on his journey. And he went to Nahor\rquote s city in Mesopotamia. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He made the camels kneel down by a well with water. The well was outside the city. It was evening, when women go to take water from the well.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant said, \lquote *Lord God of my master Abraham, please make me successful today. Please be kind to my master Abraham. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I am standing here by the fountain that gives water. The daughters of the men that live in this town are coming out. They are coming to take water from the well. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will say to one girl, \'93Please let down your jar and give me a drink.\'94 Maybe she will say, \'93Drink and I will give water to your camels too.
\'94 Let her be the girl that you have chosen for your servant Isaac. In that way, I shall know that you have been kind to my master.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Before the servant had finished speaking, the girl Reb
ekah came out. She came with her jar on her shoulder. It was a jar for water. Rebekah was the daughter of Bethuel, who was Milcah\rquote s son. Milcah was the wife of Nahor, who was Abraham\rquote s brother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah was very pretty. She was at the right age for marriage. And she had never had sex. Rebekah went down to the well and she filled her jar. Then she came up.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the servant ran to meet Rebekah. And he said, \lquote Please give me a little water to drink from your jar.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah said, \lquote Drink, sir.\rquote And she quickly took down her jar into her hand and she gave him a drink.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah gave him enough to drink. Then she said, \lquote I will take out water so that your camels too have enough to drink.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Rebekah quickly emptied her jar into the *trough. Then she ran to the well to fill the jar again. She did that until all the camels had enough water. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant watched Rebekah silently. He was wondering whether the *Lord had made his journey successful.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When the camels had had enough water, Abraham\rquote s serv
ant took a ring. Someone had made it from gold and it weighed half a *shekel. And the servant took two *bracelets for Rebekah\rquote s arms. Someone had made the *bracelets from gold and they weighed 10 *shekels. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant said to Rebekah, \lquote Please tell me whose daughter you are. Is there room for us to stay in your father\rquote s house?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah replied, \lquote I am the daughter of Bethuel, Milcah\rquote s son. Milcah gave birth to him for Nahor.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She added, \lquote We have plenty of straw and animal food. We also have room for you to stay.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s servant *bowed his head and he *worshipped the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He said, \lquote Let people *bless the *Lord, who is the God of my master Abraham. The *Lord has always loved my master and he has always been *faithful to my master. The *Lo
rd has never stopped that. He has been *faithful to me too. The *Lord has led me on my journey. He has led me to the house of my master\rquote s family.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the girl ran. And she told everything to the people in her mother\rquote s *household. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v29-30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah had a brother called Laban. Laban saw the ring and he saw the *bracelets on his sister\rquote
s arms. And he heard his sister Rebekah tell what the man had said. So Laban ran out to the well to meet the man. And Laban found him. The man (Abraham\rquote s servant) was standing by the camels at the well. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said, \lquote Come in, you that the *Lord has *blessed. Do not stand outside. I have made the house ready and there is also a place for the camels.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the servant came into Laban\rquote s house. Laban took the goods off the ca
mels and he gave straw and food for them. Laban gave water to his visitor, so that the visitor could wash his feet. And those with the visitor could wash their feet. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Laban put food in front of his visitor to eat. However, the visitor (Abraham\rquote s servant) said, \lquote I will tell you why I have come. I will not eat before I have told you.\rquote
\par Laban said, \lquote Tell us!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the visitor said, \lquote I am Abraham\rquote s servant. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 The *Lord has greatly *blessed my master, so that he is a great man. God has given to him *flocks and *herds, silver and gold. God has given male and female slaves to him. God has given camels and *donkeys to him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Sarah, my master\rquote s wife, had a baby son for him. She had a baby when she was old. Abraham has given everything to his son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My master made me promise something very seriously. I promised that I would not choose a wife for his son from among my master\rquote s *Canaanite neighbours. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My master ordered me to go to his father\rquote s family and relatives. My master ordered me to choose a wife for his son from among them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I mentioned that the woman might not follow me.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Abraham said, \'93
The *Lord will send his *angel with you. The *Lord is present with me in my life. He will guide you. You will choose a wife for my son from my family and my father\rquote s *tribe. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When you reach my family, you will be free from your *oath. Even if they do not want to give the woman to you, you will be free from your *oath. (That is, the *oath that you made to me.)\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Today I came to the well and I said this. \'93*Lord, God of my master Abraham, please *bless what I am doing. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v43-44}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Here I am by the well. I will say this to one girl that comes to take out water. I will ask: \lquote Please give me a little water from your jar to drink.\rquote She may reply:
\lquote Drink and I will take out water for your camels too.\rquote I pray that she will be the right woman if that is her reply. She will be the girl that the *Lord has chosen for my master\rquote s son.\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v45}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I was praying in my heart. Before I had finished, I saw Rebekah come out. She had her w
ater jar on her shoulder. She went down to the well and she took out water. I asked her for a drink.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v46}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She quickly took down her jar from her shoulder. And she said, \'93Drink. I will give water to your camels too.\'94
So I drank and she gave water to the camels too.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v47}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then I asked her who her father is. She said that she is Bethuel\rquote s daughter. And she said that Bethuel is Nahor\rquote s and Milcah\rquote
s son. So I put the ring on her nose and I put the *bracelets on her arms. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v48}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then I *bowed my head and I *worshipped
the *Lord. I *blessed the *Lord, the God of my master Abraham. The *Lord led me on my journey to find the daughter of my master\rquote s relative. I came to find her so that she could be the bride of my master\rquote s son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v49}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So now please tell me whether you will be kind and honest to me. If that is not so, then I will continue to search.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v50}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Laban and Bethuel answered, \lquote The *Lord has brought you here, so we cannot say anything. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v51}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah is here. Take her with you. Let her be the wife of your master\rquote s son. It is what the *Lord wants.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v52}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Abraham\rquote s servant heard that, he *bowed to the ground. And he *worshipped the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v53}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant brought out things that people had made from silver and gold. And he brought out clothing. He gave them to Rebekah. The servant also gave expensive presents to Rebekah\rquote
s brother and mother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v54}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s servant ate and he drank. So did those with him. And they all stayed there for the night.
\par When they got up the next morning, the servant asked to go back to his master Abraham.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v55}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah\rquote s brother and mother said, \lquote Let the girl stay here for a while, about 10 days. Then she can go.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v56}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Abraham\rquote s servant replied, \lquote Do not stop me, because the *Lord has *blessed my journey. Let me go so that I can return to my master.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v57}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah\rquote s brother and mother said, \lquote We will call the girl and we will ask her.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v58}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So they called Rebekah. And they asked her whether she would go with Abraham\rquote s servant. She said that she would go.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v59}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Rebekah\rquote s brother and mother said goodbye to Rebekah and her nurse. The brother and mother said goodbye to Abraham\rquote
s servant and his men. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v60}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brother and mother *blessed Rebekah. And they said, \lquote
Our sister, be the mother of a thousand times ten thousand (1000 times 10 000) people. Let your *descendants take possession of the gates of their enemies\rquote cities.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v61}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rebekah and her maids got ready and they got up on their camels. They followed Abraham\rquote
s servant. So the servant took Rebekah and he started his journey.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v62}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Meanwhile, Isaac had left Beer Lahai Roi and he was living in the area called the Negev. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v63}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac went out into the field in the evening. And he saw some camels that were coming. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v64-65}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Rebekah looked up and she saw Isaac. She got down from her camel and she said to the servant, \lquote A man is walking in the field over there. And he is coming to meet us. Who is he?\rquote
\par The servant replied, \lquote It is my master.\rquote So Rebekah covered herself with her *veil.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v66}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant told Isaac everything that he (the servant) had done. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v67}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac took Rebekah into Sarah\rquote s tent. Isaac took Rebekah and he married her. He loved her and she comforted him after his mother\rquote s death.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham believed that he would soon die. S
o he made sure that there would be a good wife for Isaac. The *Hebrews always told their sons not to marry *Canaanite women. Abraham cared very much about that. But he did not want Isaac to leave the country that God had promised. So, Abraham sent his chi
ef servant to arrange Isaac\rquote s marriage. Abraham wanted Isaac to marry one of Abraham\rquote s own relatives. This was the custom, but Abraham also had a more important reason. He wanted Isaac\rquote
s wife to be a woman who would help Isaac to serve God.
\par The account in this chapter is very long. The writer gives many details in it. We learn a lot about Abraham from it. We learn how Abraham\rquote s servants trusted him and his God. And the servants respected Abraham and his God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 God had *blessed Abraham in every way. But Isaac was still unmarried. Abraham knew that it was important for Isaac to marry. God had promised that Abraham would have many *descendants by Isaac.
\par Verses 2-4 To put one\rquote s hand under a person\rquote s *thigh meant to make a very serious *o
ath with that person. But we do not know exactly what it meant. The servant was very loyal to Abraham. The servant was very wise and careful in all his actions. And he was very wise and careful about everything that he said.
\par Abraham did not want Isaac to m
arry a woman from Canaan. Many people in Canaan were very wicked. And in Genesis 15:16, God had said that their evil deeds would become even worse in the future. Later, Esau would marry women from Canaan. And these women upset his family greatly (Genesis
26:34-35; 27:46; and 28:8).
\par Verses 5-9 The servant realised the importance of his task. So, he was careful to check that he understood everything properly.
\par Especially, the servant needed to know whether he could take Isaac back with him. Abraham was sure that he did not want Isaac to leave Canaan. God himself had led Abraham to Canaan. And God promised to give Canaan to Abraham\rquote
s *descendants. Abraham lived in Canaan because he trusted God\rquote s promises. So, Abraham wanted Isaac to trust God\rquote s promises too. This mattered more than even the choice of Isaac\rquote s wife.
\par But Abraham was confident that the servant would succeed. He told the servant that God would send an *angel ahead of him. So, the servant would be able to bring back a good wife for Isaac.
\par Verse 10 Maybe the city was called Nahor. Or maybe Nahor lived there. It is not clear which the writer meant.
\par Verse 11 The servant was sensible. The women usually went to the well in the evening. So the servant went there at that time. He also trusted that God would lead him to the right wife for Isaac.
\par Verses 12-13 Abraham\rquote s belief in God had impressed the servant greatly. In fact, Abraham\rquote s belief probably affected every decision that he (Abraham) made. So, the servant called God, the \lquote God of my master Abraham\rquote .
\par Verse 14 The servant was very clever to make this test. It would show whether the woman was kind to strangers and animals. And it would show whether she was willing to work. Camels need a lot of water!
\par Verses 15-20 God answered the servant\rquote s prayer very quickly. The servant was still praying when Rebekah came out. She was a very suitable young woman. She was kind. She was willing to work hard. She belonged to the family of Abraham\rquote
s relatives. And she was also very beautiful.
\par Verse 21 The servant was wondering whether God had made his journey successful. In other words, he was wondering whether God had chosen Rebekah as Isaac\rquote s wife.
\par Verse 22 This was a very expensive present. It showed clearly to Rebekah that the servant\rquote s intention was to arrange a marriage.
\par Verses 23-25 The servant asked to stay at Rebekah\rquote s family\rquote s home. In that way, he could discover whether her family were kind to strangers. And he could make sure that they served God. Neither the servant nor Rebekah hesitated.
\par Verses 26-27 The servant had seen how quickly God answered his prayer. Everything seemed right. So, the servant did not hesitate to thank God. The servant felt sure that God had led him to Rebekah.
\par Verses 28-30 Rebekah was very excited. She went to tell her family. Laban realised the importance of these events. So, he went out quickly in order to invite Abraham\rquote s servant to their home.
\par Verse 31 Laban\rquote s words show us that this family also knew about God. And his words show that he, like Abraham, was very kind to strangers. But Laban had a special reason to be kind to the servant. He wanted to find a good husband for Rebekah.
\par Verse 32 This was a major task. The servant had not travelled alone. He brought 10 camels. So, perhaps there were 9 other servants with him.
\par Verse 33 The servant refused to eat until he had explained the reason for his visit. He wanted to show that his task was very important to him.
\par Verses 34-38 Firstly, the servant explained about his master, Abraham. Rebekah\rquote s family needed to know about Isaac\rquote s family.
\par Verses 39-41 Then, the servant explained why Rebekah would have to leave her family. Abraham left his own family for a very real reason. He wanted to follow God. God was Abraham\rquote
s only guide when he (Abraham) went into Canaan. If Rebekah wanted to marry Isaac, she too would have to go to Canaan.
\par Verse 42-48 The servant carefully explained all the events that happened at the well earlier. He wanted to show that God had answered his prayer. In other words, God led the servant to Rebekah.
\par Verse 49 The servant told all the facts to Rebekah\rquote s family. But he did not force them to allow the marriage. Here we read, \lquote I will continue to search.\rquote The *Hebrew text means \lquote I will know which way to turn.\rquote
In other words, the servant would know then that he had to continue his journey. He would know that he could not go home yet. He would not have found the right woman to become Isaac\rquote s wife.
\par Verses 50-52 Rebekah\rquote s family realised that God wanted Rebekah to marry Isaac. So, they agreed to the marriage.
\par Verse 53 There were more presents for Rebekah. And the servant also gave presents to her family. It was the custom for the bridegroom to pay a price for his bride.
\par Verse 55 We do not know exactly for how long a time they wanted Rebekah to stay.
\par Verse 56 The servant did not want to stay. God had helped the servant to succeed in his task. So, the servant wanted to return, so that he could introduce Isaac to Rebekah.
\par Verses 57-58 Nobody forced Rebekah to marry Isaac. Her family asked her whether she wanted to go.
\par Verse 60 Rebekah\rquote s family would probably never see her again. So, they *blessed her as she left. They hoped that she would have many children and grandchildren. And they hoped that her *descendants would overcome their enemies.
\par The gates were the important places of a city. Whoever owned the gates, owned the city. The elders discussed all the important things at the gates. (Elders were important citizens that the people respected.)
\par Verse 62 Isaac may have gone to live in the Negev when his father married Keturah. (See Genesis 25:1.)
\par Verse 63 We are not sure what Isaac was doing in the field that evening. Perhaps he was thinking about things. Perhaps he was praying.
\par Verse 64 At last, Rebekah saw Isaac for the first time.
\par Verse 65 The servant now considered Isaac his master instead of Abraham. He called Isaac \lquote my master\rquote .
\par Rebekah covered her face to show that she was modest. A bride usually covered her face when the bridegroom was present. She would only uncover her face after their first night together.
\par Verse 66 The servant reported to Isaac everything that had happened. He did not go to tell Abraham.
\par Verse 67 So, Isaac married Rebekah. Although they had not met before their marriage, they loved each other deeply. It seems that Sarah, Isaac\rquote s mother, had died recently. Rebekah comforted Isaac.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 25
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Abraham was old, he married again. He did not want his new children to oppose Isaac. Abraham provided for them. But he sent them to live far away from Isaac.
\par Abraham was very old when he died. Isaac and Ishmael met again then. They buried his body together. This action showed that they both loved Abraham.
\par Ishmael had many *descendants, and they were successful. They lived across a large area. But the writer\rquote s account continues with Isaac\rquote s sons, called Esau and Jacob.
\par Esau was the oldest son. So, he had the right to benefit from God\rquote
s promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:2-3). It seems that Esau did not care about this right. But Jacob recognised the importance of this right. And, even as a youth, Jacob was plotting how he could get this right, instead of Esau.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s death, 25:1-11
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\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Abraham married another wife. She was called Keturah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She had baby sons for him. Their names were Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak and Shuah. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jokshan was Sheba\rquote s and Dedan\rquote s father. Dedan\rquote s sons were Asshurim, Letushim and Leummim. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Midian\rquote s sons were Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abida and Eldaah. All those were Keturah\rquote s children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham gave everything that he had to Isaac. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
However, Abraham gave gifts to his *concubines\rquote sons. While Abraham was still alive, he sent those sons away from his son Isaac. He sent those sons towards the country that was in the east.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham lived for 175 years. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then he breathed his last breath. He died when he was an old man. His life had been good and he had lived happily as an old man. Then he died and he went to be with his *ancestors. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9-10}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abraham\rquote s sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave in Machpelah. Abraham had bought the cave and field from Ephron, the son of Zohar, who was from Heth\rquote s family. The field was east from Mamre. Abraham
\rquote s sons buried him there, where he had buried Sarah his wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Abraham died, God *blessed Isaac, Abraham\rquote
s son. Isaac lived at Beer Lahai Roi.
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-6 Abraham may have married Keturah before Sarah died. (It seems that the \lquote *concubines\rquote
in verse 6 include Keturah.) God was carrying out his promise to Abraham that he (Abraham) would be the father of many nations. God had promised the country called Canaan to Isaac and his *descendants. Abraham wanted to pr
otect Isaac. Abraham realised that Keturah\rquote s sons should not live with Isaac in Canaan. So, Abraham sent all his other sons away.
\par Verse 8 \lquote Abraham went to be with his *ancestors.\rquote Perhaps the writer used these words to show that people still exist even after death. But these words probably just mean that Abraham died.
\par Verses 9-10 Again the writer gives the details about Abraham\rquote s and Sarah\rquote s grave. Abraham owned the land where the grave was. And the land was in the country that God had promised to Abraham\rquote s
*descendants. That fact was very important and so the writer wanted to remind us about it.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ishmael\rquote s *descendants, 25:12-18
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are Ishmael\rquote
s *descendants. Hagar, Sarah\rquote s *Egyptian maid, had given birth to Ishmael for Abraham.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are the names of Ishmael\rquote s sons. The names are in order of the sons\rquote birth. Nebaioth was Ishmael\rquote
s oldest son. Then there came Kedar, Adbeel, Mibsam, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Mishma, Dumah, Massa, }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hadad, Tema, Jetur, Naphish and Kedemah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those are the names of Ishmael\rquote s sons. Thos
e names also refer to villages and camps. Ishmael\rquote s sons were 12 princes over 12 *tribes. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Ishmael lived for 137 years. Then he breathed his last breath and he died. He went to be with his *ancestors. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Ishmael\rquote
s *descendants lived in the area from Havilah to Shur. The area is opposite Egypt. The area is on the way towards Assyria. Ishmael went to live opposite all his brothers.
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 12-16 Again the writer reminds us that Ishmael was the son of Sarah\rquote s *Egyptian maid. Ishmael was not the son that God had especially chosen. When we read about Ishmael\rquote s *descendants, we can remember God
\rquote s promises to Ishmael. God had promised that Ishmael, too, would have many *descendants.
\par Verse 17 \lquote He went to be with his *ancestors\rquote means that he died.
\par Verse 18 \lquote Ishmael went to live opposite all his brothers.\rquote Ishmael\rquote s *descendants would have a tendency to make war. Here the writer reminds us about that.
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\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob and Esau, 25:19-34
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\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are the *descendants of Abraham\rquote
s son Isaac.
\par Abraham was Isaac\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah. Rebekah was Bethuel\rquote s daughter and she was also Laban
\rquote s sister. Rebekah\rquote s family lived in Paddan-Aram and they were from the people called Arameans.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac prayed to the *Lord about his wife because she had no children. The *Lord granted what Isaac prayed for. Rebekah became *pregnant. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The children fought together inside Rebekah. She said, \lquote I cannot continue to live, because it is like this.\rquote
So she went to ask the *Lord about it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord said to her, \lquote
There are two nations inside you. You will give birth to two nations, and they will make war with each other. One nation will be stronger than the other nation. The older child will serve the younger one.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The time came for Rebekah to give birth. There were *twins inside her then. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The first *twin that came out was red. All his body was like a hairy skin. So he was called Esau. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And after that, his brother was born. The brother had taken hold of Esau\rquote s heel (the back part of his foot). So they called the brother Jacob. Isaac was 60 years old when Rebekah gave birth to the *twins.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When the boys grew up, Esau was a good hunter. He liked to be outdoors. Jacob was a quiet man, who stayed in the tent. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac loved Esau, because Esau hunted. But Rebekah loved Jacob.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On one day, Jacob was cooking a *stew when Esau came in from the fields. Esau was very hungry. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau said to Jacob, \lquote Let me have some of that red *stew. I am starving.\rquote (So Esau was called Edom also.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob replied, \lquote First sell your *birthright to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau said, \lquote I am dying, so my *birthright is no use to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said, \lquote Make a very serious promise to me first.\rquote
So Esau made a very serious promise to Jacob, and he sold his *birthright to Jacob.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jaco
b gave bread to Esau. And Jacob gave to him *stew that he (Jacob) had made from lentils (vegetable seeds). Esau ate and he drank. Then he went out. So Esau did not care about his *birthright.
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 19-20 God made special promises to Abraham and his *descendant. We have seen in this chapter that Abraham had many sons, in the end. But God\rquote
s promises were not for those other sons, although God had also made promises about Ishmael. God\rquote s promises were for Isaac. And this is why the Book of Genesis continues with Isaac\rquote s life.
\par However, it was clear that God\rquote s promises would not end with Isaac. In the end, these promises were about Jesus, who was Isaac\rquote s *descendant (Galatians 3:16). It seems that people in the Book of Genesis were aware of this fact. In Genesis
3:15, God promised that the woman\rquote s *descendant would defeat the devil.
\par So, it was important that Isaac should have a son.
\par Verse 21 Isaac and Rebekah had to wait for 20 years before their sons were born. But God answered Isaac\rquote s prayer in the end.
\par Verse 22 Rebekah was having *twins (two babies born together). But even before their births, the babies seemed to be fighting inside her.
\par Verse 23 God knew the character of each son, even before the sons were born. And God knew about the future of their *descendants. Only one son would receive the benefit of God\rquote s promises. And it was as if the babies were struggling for that right.
\par Usually, people expected the older son to rule the family. But God told Rebekah that the opposite would happen.
\par After the sons were born, the younger son (called Jacob) would be desperate to benefit from God\rquote s promises. But the older son (called Esau) did not care about God\rquote
s promises. However, Jacob would have a struggle to take the right away from Esau.
\par Verse 25 The name \lquote Esau\rquote is like the *Hebrew word for \lquote hairy\rquote .
\par Verse 26 \lquote Jacob\rquote means \lquote he takes hold of the *heel\rquote . People sometimes used these words to mean, \lquote he cheats\rquote . Of course, Jacob was not cheating anyone when he was born! But the circumstances of the boys\rquote
births would explain many things about their lives. Esau was the oldest son. But Jacob was desperate to gain the benefit of God\rquote
s promises. And this benefit would usually go to the oldest son. Jacob had struggled to be born first, but he failed. However, Jacob would not fail in his desire to gain God\rquote s special *blessing.
\par Verse 27 Esau and Jacob had very different attitudes.
\par Verse 28 Isaac liked the food that Esau hunted.
\par Verse 29 Esau was a skilled hunter, but he was not always successful. Perhaps, he had been away for several days when this event happened. He hoped to bring back a wild animal for food. But, this time, he did not succeed. So, he was very hungry.
\par Verse 30 \lquote Edom\rquote means \lquote red\rquote .
\par Verse 31 Jacob wanted God\rquote s special *blessing. And so Jacob tried to take it from Esau when Esau was weak.
\par Verse 32 Esau acted as if God\rquote s special *blessing was not important. Esau preferred the food.
\par Verse 33 Jacob wanted to be sure that Esau had handed over the *birthright. So, Jacob asked Esau to make a serious promise. Esau made the promise because he wanted the food. But he also made the promise because he did not care about God\rquote
s special *blessing.
\par Verse 34 The *birthright included God\rquote s promises to Abraham for his family. Esau did not care about God\rquote s promises.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 26
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac and Abimelech
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Now there was a *famine in Canaan. There had been a *famine in the time when Abraham was alive. But this was another *famine. Isaac went to the place called Gerar. He went to Abimelech, the king of the *Philistines. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord appeared in front of Isaac. And the *Lord said, \lquote Do not go down to Egypt. Live in the country that I will tell you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Stay there. And I will be with you and I will *bless you. I will give all these countries to you and your *descendants. I will do as I promised to your father Abraham. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You will have as many *descendants as there are stars in the sky. I will give all these countries
to your *descendants. I will *bless all the nations on the earth because of your *descendants. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I will *bless the nations because Abraham obeyed my voice. And he carried out my words, my commands, my orders and my laws.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Isaac lived in Gerar.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The men that lived there asked him about his wife. So Isaac answered, \lquote She is my sister.\rquote
He could have said that Rebekah was his wife. But he was afraid that then the men would kill him. One of them would then be able to take Rebekah as a wife for himself. She was beautiful.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Isaac had lived there for a long time, Abimelech looked out of a window. Abimelech was the king of the *Philistines. He saw Isaac hug his (Isaac
\rquote s) wife Rebekah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abimelech called Isaac. And Abimelech said, \lquote Look! She is your wife. Why did you say that she was your sister?
\rquote
\par Isaac replied, \lquote I thought that you would kill me. So then you could take my wife into your house.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech said, \lquote You have done a wrong thing to us. Someone might have had sex with your wife, and t
hen we would have suffered because of our *sin.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Abimelech warned all the people, \lquote Do not touch this man or this woman. Otherwise I will have someone kill you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac sowed seed in that country. And he harvested a hundred times as much in the same year. The *Lord *blessed him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac became rich. And he got richer and richer. He became very rich. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Isaac owned *flocks and *herds. And he owned a large *household of servants. The *Philistines were jealous of him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
(When Abraham lived in that country, Abraham\rquote s servants had dug wells there. But the *Philistines had now filled all those wells with earth again.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Abimelech said to Isaac, \lquote Go away from us. You are much more powerful than we are.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Isaac went away from there. He camped in the valley that was round Gerar. And he lived there. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac dug out again the wells of water that his father Abraham had dug. The *Philistines had filled them with ea
rth after Abraham died. Isaac gave names to the wells. They were the names that his father had given to the wells.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac\rquote s servants dug in the valley. And they found a well with water that was springing from the ground. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *herdsmen from Gerar quarrelled with Isaac\rquote
s *herdsmen. The *herdsmen from Gerar said that the well was theirs. So Isaac called the well Esek, because the *herdsmen quarrelled with him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac
\rquote s men dug another well. And the men from Gerar quarrelled about that one too. So Isaac called it Sitnah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Isaac went from there to live in another place. And he dug another well. There was no quarrel about this well, so Isaac called it Rehoboth. He said, \lquote The *Lord has now given to us somewhere to live. We shall be *fruitful in this country.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 From there, Isaac went up to Beersheba. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord appeared in front of him that night. And the *Lord said, \lquote I am the God of your father Abraham. I am with you and I will *bless you. So do not be afraid. I will give to you very many *descendants because of my servant Abraham.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Isaac built an *altar there. And he called the *Lord\rquote s name to *worship the *Lord. Isaac put up his tent there, and his servants dug a well.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Abimelech went from Gerar to visit Isaac. Abimelech took Ahuzzath his adviser with him. And Abimelech also took Phicol, the leader of his army. }
{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac said to them, \lquote Why have you come to me? You hate me and you have sent me away from you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The men said to Isaac, \lquote We see clearly that the *Lord is with you. So please let us make a very serious promise to each other. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let us make a *covenant that you will not hurt us. We have not touched you. We have only done good things to you, and we have sent you away in peace.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac made a *feast for the men. And they all ate together and they drank together. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In the morning, Isaac and the men got up early and they made a very serious promise to each other. Isaac sent the men off on their journey and they went away in peace.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 That same day, Isaac\rquote s servants came. And they told him that they had dug a well. They said, \lquote We have found water.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac called the well Shebah. Therefore the city is called Beersheba until this time.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Esau was 40 years old, he married Judith the daughter of Beer, who was from Heth\rquote
s family. And he married Basemath, the daughter of Elon, who was from Heth\rquote s family. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those women made Isaac and Rebekah very unhappy.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Every person needs to invite God into that person\rquote s own life. It is not enough if that person\rquote s parents were Christians. Each person needs his or her own experience of a relationship with God.
\par It was the same for Isaac. His father, Abraham, was a real friend of God. And Abraham had learnt to trust God completely. So, Isaac had always known }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 about}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God. But Isaac still needed to know God for himself. And Isaac needed to learn many of the lessons that Abraham learnt.
\par But it seems that Isaac learned easily. He had a good character. He wanted to serve God. And Isaac tried not to argue with people. God was kind to Isaac.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 \lquote Abimelech\rquote may have been a title for the king, like \lquote *Pharaoh\rquote
. The Abimelech that Abraham knew may have died. The earlier *Philistines may have been a different nation from the *Philistines whom we read about elsewhere in the Bible.
\par Verse 2 There was a *famine. However, God clearly let Isaac know that he was looking after Isaac. But Isaac needed to obey God.
\par Verses 3-5 God reminded Isaac about the promises that God gave to Abraham. God was now making these promises to Isaac and his *descendants. Of course, Isaac had already heard about these promises from Abraham. But this experience was very important for Is
aac. God was speaking to Isaac. So, Abraham\rquote s God was now Isaac\rquote s God too.
\par Verse 6 Isaac had heard God\rquote s instructions. So, Isaac obeyed God. Perhaps Isaac was not sure how he could find enough food during the *famine. But he decided to trust God. The same God who created the world would look after Isaac.
\par Verse 7 People used the word \lquote sister\rquote to mean many different relatives. But we can see that Isaac was lying. He did not want anyone to know that Rebekah was his wife. So, he said something that would confuse
other people. Abraham had done the same thing in Genesis 20:2. Both Isaac and Abraham were trying to protect themselves. Isaac had not learned from Abraham\rquote s experience. And Isaac was not yet ready to trust God to protect him.
\par Verse 8 Isaac did not need to be afraid. God was protecting Isaac. Nobody took Rebekah away from Isaac.
\par Verses 9-11 Isaac did not actually suffer because of his lies. But Abimelech had to warn Isaac. Perhaps Abimelech realised that Isaac was a holy man. Abimelech was worried that innocent people might suffer because of Isaac\rquote
s lie. Perhaps Abimelech remembered the message that God gave him about Abraham (Genesis 20:6-7).
\par So, Abimelech gave an order to his people. It seems that God was using Abimelech to protect Isaac and Rebekah.
\par Verses 12-13 We can see that God was *blessing Isaac. Even during the *famine, Isaac\rquote s harvest was very plentiful. In fact, it was even more plentiful than you would expect in a good year.
\par Verses 14-16 Abimelech had ordered the *Philistines to keep Isaac safe.
But they were jealous of his success. They tried to cause problems for him. And they tried to frighten him. Abraham and Abimelech had made an agreement about wells (Genesis 21:25-31). These wells now belonged to Isaac. But the *Philistines spoilt the wel
ls. And Abimelech told Isaac to leave their country.
\par Abimelech\rquote s men did not carry out the *covenant that people had made with Abraham. The *covenant had showed that the wells belonged to Abraham.
\par Water was precious and people often quarrelled about it. Lot quarrelled with Abraham and the *Philistines quarrelled with Isaac. Later, Laban quarrelled with Jacob.
\par Verses 17-18 But Isaac did not argue. He wanted to be at peace with the *Philistines. So, he moved elsewhere.
\par Verses 19-21 The arguments continued. Eve
ryone wanted a good supply of water. But Isaac just moved to another place. It seems that he was trusting God to provide for him. Isaac had seen how God gave a plentiful harvest in a *famine. So, Isaac was not afraid to move elsewhere.
\par The name \lquote Esek\rquote means \lquote quarrel\rquote . \lquote Sitnah\rquote means \lquote enemies\rquote .
\par Verse 22 \lquote Rehoboth\rquote means \lquote space\rquote . Isaac thanked God. Isaac did not need to fight the people who opposed him. God had given Isaac a place to live.
\par Verses 23-25 God spoke to Isaac again. By his (God\rquote s) words, God gave confidence to Isaac. Isaac did not need to be afraid. God was with Isaac. God would help Isaac. And God would do for Isaac everything that he (God) promised to Abraham.
\par Like his father Abraham, Isaac stayed in Beersheba. And there, Isaac prayed to God.
\par Verses 26-29 Abimelech came to see Isaac. Abimelech wanted to make an agreement with Isaac. Isaac had become wealthy and powerful. So perhaps Abimelech was afraid that Isaac\rquote s men might oppose him.
\par Abimelech\rquote s words in verse 29 were not quite true. Abimelech had told his people to protect Isaac. But then, Abimelech told Isaac to leave the country. Abimelech\rquote s people spoilt Isaac\rquote
s wells. And they argued about other wells. But it seems that Isaac did not care about these matters. Isaac wanted peace with Abimelech\rquote s people. So, Isaac made the agreement with them.
\par Verses 30-31 When people made *covenants, they often had a meal together. They did that to show friendship.
\par Verses 32-33 Isaac\rquote s servants finished digging another well that day. They were glad. They had left behind many wells. But God had provided another well for them.
\par Verses 34-35 Esau was Isaac\rquote s first son. But Esau did not behave like Isaac. Isaac waited patiently while his father arranged a wife. But Esau chose his own wives. Isaac\rquote s wife belonged to a family that knew about God. But Esau\rquote
s wives came from a country where people were wicked. Isaac hated arguments. But Esau chose wives who caused constant trouble for Isaac and Rebekah.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 27
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac *blesses Jacob
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Isaac was old, he could not
see. He was almost blind. He called his older son Esau and he said to Esau, \lquote My son!\rquote
\par Esau answered, \lquote Here I am.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac said, \lquote Look! I am old. I do not know when I shall die. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Therefore, now take your arms for war, your bow and *arrows. Go into the country. And hunt wild animals in order to get meat for me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Make a *stew for me that tastes very good. Make the sort that I love. And bring it to me to eat. Then I will *bless you greatly before I die.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah was listening when Isaac was talking to his son Esau. Esau went out into the country to hunt wild animals for meat. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6-7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rebekah said to her son Jacob, \lquote
I heard your father ask Esau your brother to go out. He asked Esau to go out to hunt. Your father wanted his favourite *stew to eat. Then, before your father\rquote s death, he would *bless Esau in front of the *Lord. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So now, my son, do exactly what I tell you to do. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Go to the *flock and fetch two good *kids for me. I will make them into a *stew for your father. It will be a *stew that tastes very good. It will be the sort that he loves. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You will take the *stew to your father to eat. And he will *bless you before his death.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Jacob said to his mother Rebekah, \lquote Look! My brother Esau is a hairy man, but my skin is smooth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Perhaps my father will feel me. Then he will think that I am cheating him. He will then *curse me. He will not *bless me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s mother replied, \lquote Let him *curse me. Let him not *curse you, my son. Just do what I say. Go and bring the *kids to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob went. He caught the *kids and he brought them to his mother. She prepared a *stew that tasted very good. It was exactly as Jacob\rquote
s father liked. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rebekah had the best clothes of Esau, her older son. They were with her in the house. So she took
the clothes and she put them on Jacob, her younger son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She then took the *kids\rquote skins. She put the skins onto Jacob\rquote
s hands. She also put the skins onto the smooth part of his neck. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She took the *stew that tasted very good. And she took the bread
that she had made. And she gave them to her son Jacob.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob went in to his father and he said, \lquote My father!\rquote
\par Isaac replied, \lquote I am here. Who are you, my son?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said to his father, \lquote I am Esau, your older son. I have done as you asked. Now sit up and eat my meat. And then *bless me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Isaac said to his son, \lquote You have found meat very quickly, my son.\rquote
\par Jacob answered, \lquote The *Lord your God made me successful.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac said to Jacob, \lquote Come near so that I can feel you, my son. I must know whether you are really my son Esau or not.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob went near to his father Isaac, who felt him. And Isaac said, \lquote The voice is Jacob\rquote s voice, but the hands are Esau\rquote
s hands.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Isaac did not recognise Jacob, because Jacob\rquote s hands felt hairy like his brother Esau\rquote
s hands. So Isaac *blessed Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac said, \lquote Are you really my son Esau?\rquote
\par Jacob replied, \lquote I am.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac said, \lquote Bring your meat to me, my son, so that I can eat it. And then I can *bless you.\rquote
\par So Jacob brought the meat to Isaac, who ate it. Jacob brought some wine for him to drink. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob\rquote s father Isaac said this to him. \lquote
Come near and kiss me, my son.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob came near and he kissed Isaac. Isaac smelled the smell that came from the clothes. And he *blessed Jacob.
\par Isaac said \lquote Look! My son smells like a field that the *Lord has *blessed. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Let God give to you *dew from heaven. Let him give to you good crops from the earth. And let him give to you plenty of grain and wine. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let n
ations serve you and let nations *bow down to you. Be a *lord over your brothers. Let your mother\rquote s sons *bow down to you. Let God *curse everyone that *curses you. Let God *bless everyone that *blesses you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Isaac had *blessed Jacob. Isaac had just finished and Jacob went away from his father Isaac. Immediately, Jacob\rquote
s brother Esau came in. Esau had been hunting. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau also cooked a *stew that tasted very good. And he took it to his father. He said to his father,
\lquote Come, my father, and sit up. Eat some of the *stew that I, your son, have prepared for you. It tastes very good. Then *bless me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau\rquote s father Isaac said to him, \lquote Who are you?\rquote
\par Esau answered, \lquote I am your son, your son Esau, who was born first.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac started to tremble and he could not stop. He said, \lquote
Who was it then that hunted for meat? Who brought the meat to me? I ate it all before you came. And I have *blessed him. Certainly he will have *blessing.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau listened to his father\rquote s words and he cried out very bitterly. He said to his father, \lquote *Bless me! *Bless me too, my father!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Isaac said, \lquote Your brother cheated you. He came to me and he lied. He has stolen your *blessing.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau said, \lquote Jacob is a good name for him. He has cheated me twice. Jacob stole my *birthright. And look! Now he has stolen my *blessing.
\rquote Then Esau said, \lquote Have you not saved a *blessing for me?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac replied to Esau, \lquote Look! I have made him your *lord. All his brothers will be his servants. I have *blessed him with grain and wine. So
there is nothing that I can give to you, my son.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau said to his father, \lquote I cannot believe that you cannot *bless me with something, my father. *Bless me! *Bless me too, my father!\rquote
Esau cried out and he wept.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Isaac his father answered him, \lquote You will live away from the rich earth. You will live away from the *dew that comes from the sky above. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You will live by means of your sword. You will serve your brother. However, you will pull yourself away so that you get loose. And after that you w
ill not serve him.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau hated Jacob, because his father had *blessed Jacob. So Esau said this to himself: \lquote
Soon we shall be sad when my father dies. After that, I will kill my brother Jacob.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Someone told Rebekah what her older son Esau had said. So she sent for her younger son Jacob and she said this to him: \lquote
Look! Your brother Esau is planning to kill you. That is how he is comforting himself. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v43}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Therefore, my son, now do as I say. Get up and run away. Run away to Laban, my brother in Haran. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v44}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Stay with him for a while until your brother becomes less angry. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v45}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Your brother will become calm and he will not be angry any longer. And he will forget what you have done to him. Then I will send for you. Then you can come back. I do not want to lose both my sons on the same day.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v46}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rebekah said to Isaac, \lquote The women from Heth\rquote
s family make my life miserable and I am tired. If Jacob marries a local woman, a woman from Heth\rquote s family like these, I shall not want to live.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac became an old man. He thought that he might die soon. (But in fact, he would live for many more years.) Isaac wanted to give a special *blessing to Esau, who was Isaac\rquote s first son. Esau was also Isaac\rquote
s favourite son.
\par The whole family realised that this *blessing was an important matter. Isaac was a holy man. God would be present when Isaac gave his *blessing. And Isaac\rquote s words would not just come from his own imagination. Isaac\rquote
s words would be a *prophecy that came from God\rquote s Holy Spirit.
\par Rebekah wanted Jacob to receive the *blessing instead of Esau. And Jacob himself was desperate for the *blessing. Previously, he bought the *birthright (the rights of the oldest son) from Esau (Genesis 25:33).
\par Jacob obtained Isaac\rquote s *blessing by methods th
at were not honest. But the *blessing that Jacob received really came from God. And it seems that Jacob received nothing from Isaac except the *blessing. Esau received great wealth in Canaan (Genesis 36:6). But Jacob left Canaan with very few possessions
(Genesis 28:20).\~ Jacob left home quickly, because he had to escape from Esau.
\par But the *blessing was all that Jacob really needed. And, as Jacob escaped, he received an even better *blessing. God himself spoke to Jacob. The God of Abraham and Isaac became Jacob\rquote s God too (Genesis 28:13-21).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 Isaac should have called both sons to him. He knew about the *prophecy at his sons\rquote births (Genesis 25:23). In the *prophecy, Jacob was the son that God had chosen.
\par It is clear that Isaac spoke to Esau in secret.
\par Verse 3 Isaac loved food and he wanted Esau to make a special meal for him. Esau was happy to do that, although he had given his *birthright to Jacob. Esau was the oldest son and so normally he would have had the *birthright.
\par Verse 4 At special times, people often ate special meals. Isaac\rquote s request for a special meal emphasises the importance of his *blessing.
\par Verse 5 Isaac spoke to Esau in secret, but Rebekah heard Isaac\rquote s words. Isaac and Rebekah may have lived in a tent. Rebekah wa
s perhaps outside, but she heard clearly. She knew that Isaac loved Esau (Genesis 25:28). But God had told her that Jacob would be more important than Esau (Genesis 25:23). So, she made a plan so that Jacob would get Isaac\rquote s *blessing.
\par Verse 6 Rebekah knew about God\rquote s choice. She should have trusted God better. Then she would have known that God\rquote
s plans never fail. Rebekah wanted to get something that was right. However, her actions were not right. She lied and she cheated.
\par Verses 7-10 Rebekah was careful. She made a plan. She did not tell Jacob everything that he would have to do. He would have to lie. And he would have to cheat. But if he had known how much, he might have been afraid.
\par Verse 11 The *Hebrew text has \lquote I am a smooth man.\rquote The *Hebrew word for \lquote smooth\rquote can also mean that the person is not sincere.
\par Verse 12 Jacob realised that Isaac would not just be speaking from his own imagination. Isaac\rquote s words would come from God\rquote s Holy Spirit. So, it mattered whether Jacob received a *blessing or a *curse.
\par Verse 13 Rebekah was encouraging Jacob. She told him not to worry about a *curse. Of course, she had already heard the *prophecy in Genesis 25:23. So she was confident about Jacob\rquote s future.
\par Verse 15 Esau was probably married, but his best clothes were still with Rebekah.
\par Verses 16-17 Rebekah and Jacob prepared everything carefully. They wanted Isaac to think that Jacob was really Esau.
\par Verses 18-26 Jacob went to see his father, Isaac. But Jacob wanted Isaac to think that Jacob was really Esau. Isaac wanted to give his *blessing to Esau, because Esau was Isaac\rquote s oldest son. But Jacob was desperate to receive Isaac\rquote
s *blessing. This was because Jacob wanted God\rquote s *blessing.
\par But Jacob did not really know God when these events happened. And Jacob did not realise
how God wanted him (Jacob) to behave. Jacob imagined that he had to earn the *blessing by his own clever schemes. He had already persuaded Esau to sell the *birthright to him. And here, Jacob received Isaac\rquote s *blessing by another scheme.
\par Jacob made Isaac give him the *blessing. But we cannot really earn God\rquote s *blessing by our own efforts. God\rquote s *blessing is a free gift because of his kindness. We receive God\rquote
s *blessing if we humbly invite him into our lives. In chapter 28, Jacob would himself meet God. Then Jacob would understand these things better.
\par Verses 27-28 Isaac\rquote s *blessing came from God. God would make Jacob successful. God would do good things in Jacob\rquote s life.
\par Verse 29 There were probably no other sons. But Isaac said this in case there would be o
ther sons. *Blessings for families probably had the same words in them every time. But Isaac added the special words that God spoke to Abraham in Genesis 12:3. Jacob would receive the benefit of God\rquote s promises to Abraham.
\par Verse 30 Esau too wanted Isaac\rquote s *blessing. Esau had not cared about the *birthright, but he still wanted the *blessing.
\par Verse 31 Esau was able to prepare food. Rebekah did not stop him and neither did Jacob.
\par Verses 32-33 Before, Isaac had thought that he was *blessing Esau. But after that, the real Esau came in. Isaac could not deny that Jacob had received the *blessing.
\par Verses 34-36 Esau was sorry because he did not receive the *blessing from Isaac. But Esau was not sorry about the wrong things that he did in his life. Esau did not care a
bout God. Esau did not care about what God wanted. Esau wanted to kill his brother (verse 41).
\par Verses 37-40 Isaac hesitated to give any *blessing to Esau. Isaac realised that God had told him what to say about Jacob. But then God gave Isaac a *prophecy about Esau.
\par Esau\rquote s *descendants would live in a city that was later called Petra. This city was in the desert. And Esau\rquote s *descendants would oppose Jacob\rquote s *descendants. But Jacob\rquote s *descendants would be more powerful. They would make Esau
\rquote s *descendants into slaves. You can read how this happened in 2 Samuel 8:11-14.
\par Verse 41 Esau was very angry. But he did not want to kill Jacob while Isaac was still alive. So, Esau waited. In fact, Isaac would live for many more years. And when Isaac died, Esau had become friendly with Jacob again.
\par Verses 42-43 Rebekah knew Esau\rquote s plan. So, she decided to send Jacob away to her relatives in Haran. He would be safe there.
\par Verse 44 Rebekah said that Jacob would need to be away for only a very short time. But he was actually away for 20 years.
\par Verse 45 Rebekah said that she did not want to lose both her sons at the same time. It is not clear what she meant by that. Esau was not a \lquote good\rquote son, but he was a son anyway. But Rebekah thought that she would \lquote lose\rquote
him too. We can guess how this might happen. Maybe if Esau killed his brother, then God might kill Esau. Or maybe other people would kill Esau for that reason. Or maybe he would have to go away to hide.
\par Verse 46 Again Rebekah showed how clever she was. She did not tell Isaac the real reason why Jacob should go away. Isaac would be happy if Jacob married a good woman. In this story, everyone in the family did something wrong.
However, it does prove these facts to us. God gives his *blessing as he wants. And he gives it by his *mercy. Although we may do \lquote good\rquote things in our life, we cannot earn God\rquote s *blessing in that way. And we certainly cannot earn God
\rquote s *blessing by our own clever schemes. Instead, we need to be humble. We should confess our evil deeds to God. We should invite God into our lives. And we should trust him.
\par Jacob\rquote s actions in this chapter were wrong. He lied and he cheated. But his attitude was right. He wanted to receive God\rquote
s *blessing. God gave a *blessing to Jacob by means of Isaac. But Jacob did not receive this *blessing just because he cheated. Isaac did not know whom he was *blessing. But God knew the truth. And God wanted to *bless Jacob. The *prophecy
in Genesis 25:23 shows this.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 28
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s journey
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1-2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Isaac called Jacob and he *blessed Jacob. He ordered Jacob not to marry a *Canaanite woman. Isaac ordered Jacob to go to the place called Paddan-Aram. There, Jacob should go to Bethuel\rquote s house. Bethuel was Jacob\rquote
s grandfather (his mother\rquote s father). Isaac told Jacob to marry someone from among Laban\rquote s daughters. Laban was Jacob\rquote s uncle (his mother\rquote s brother). }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac asked God *Almighty to *bless Jacob. Isaac asked God to give very many *descendants to Jacob. So then Jacob would be the father of a very large group of nations. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Isaac said, \lquote God gave a *blessing to Abraham. Let God give it to you and your *descendants as well. So then you will own the country where you are camping. God gave this country to Abraham.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Isaac sent Jacob away, and Jacob went to Paddan-Aram. He went to visit Laban, the son of Bethuel, who was from the people called Arameans. Laban was the brother of Rebekah, Jacob\rquote s and Esau\rquote s mother.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau saw that Isaac *bl
essed Jacob. He saw that Isaac sent Jacob away to Paddan-Aram to find a wife. Esau heard Isaac tell Jacob not to marry a *Canaanite woman. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Esau saw that Jacob obeyed his father and mother and Jacob went to Paddan-Aram. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Esau saw that his father Isaac did not like *Canaanite women. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Therefore Esau went to Ishmael, Abraham\rquote s son. And Esau married Mahalath, who was Ishmael\rquote s daughter. Mahalath was Nebaioth\rquote
s sister. Esau already had other wives.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob left Beersheba and he went towards Haran. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 When the sun set, he stopped at a certain place. He stayed there for the night. Jacob took a stone and he put it under his head. Then he lay down there to sleep. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He dreamed that someone had put up a ladder on the earth. The top of the ladder was in heaven. Jacob saw God\rquote s *angels there. They were going up and down on the ladder. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord stood above it. And he said, \lquote I am the *Lord. I am the God of your father Abraham and I am the God of Isaac. I will give the land on which you are lying to you an
d your *descendants. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There are very many bits of dust on the earth. And you will have quite as many *descendants. They will spread out to the west, east, north and south. I will *bless all the families on the earth because of you and your *descendants. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Look! I am with you. I will protect you wherever you go. And I will bring you back to this country. I will do what I have told you. I will not leave you until I have done it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob woke from sleep. And he said, \lquote Certainly the *Lord is here, but I did not know it.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob was afraid. And he said, \lquote This place is very holy. This is truly God\rquote s house and it is the gate of heaven.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob got up early in the morning. He took the stone that he had put under his head. And Jacob put the stone up as a column. He poured oil on it. }
{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob called that place Bethel, although people had called it Luz before.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob made a promise. He said, \lquote I make a promise if God will be with me. I make this promise if he will protect me on this journey
. I make it if he will give bread for me to eat. I make it if he will give clothes for me to wear. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I make it if will bring me back in peace to my father\rquote s house. If those things are so, then I promise this: The *Lord will be my God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And this stone, which I have put up as a column shall be God\rquote s house. And I will give back to you, *Lord, one tenth of everything that you give to me.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob had to leave home in order to escape from Esau. Isaac *blessed Jacob before Jacob left. This time, Isaac knew whom he was *blessing. He gave a wonderful *blessing to Jacob. Isaac said that Jacob would receive Abraham
\rquote s *blessing. And he said that Jacob\rquote s *descendants would receive the country called Canaan.
\par Jacob really wanted to receive this *blessing. Now he received it. This was wonderful.
\par Jacob travelled alone on his journey. He had to sleep outside. He took few possessions. He even had to pray for his food and clothes (verse 20). But something very special happened as he travelled. He had a special dream. And in
the dream, God spoke to Jacob. God gave to Jacob the same promises that he (God) had given to Abraham and Isaac. And Jacob promised that he, too, would serve God. And so, we call God, \lquote the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob\rquote (Exodus 3:6).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Verse 1 Jacob needed to know that he was doing the right thing. So it was important for Isaac to *bless Jacob again. He needed to know that God wanted him to do that. Jacob would have difficult experiences sometimes. And so he needed the *blessing because
the *blessing would help him to carry on.
\par Verse 2 Abraham had sent a servant to choose Isaac\rquote s wife. But Jacob himself went to fetch his own wife. Isaac said that Jacob should marry Jacob\rquote s cousin, someone from among Laban\rquote s daughters. Cousins often married.
\par Verse 3 Jacob would have 12 sons. And his *descendants would become a great nation. Everything that God promised to Abraham and Isaac would happen to Jacob\rquote s *descendants.
\par Verse 4 God had already given the country to Jacob and his *descendants, although they did not yet own any part of it.
\par Verses 6-9 Esau tried to please his parents by means of another marriage. But Esau still had *Canaanite wives, and God had not chosen Ishmael. Esau did not understand God\rquote s plan.
\par Verses 10-11 Jacob had God\rquote s *blessing. But Jacob had no money and he had no friends. He slept outside. He used a stone as his pillow.
\par Verse 12 This staircase was between earth and heaven. So it was similar to the *tower in Babel. But there were many differences. Men built the *tower and they t
ried to reach heaven. They thought that they were clever. And they thought that they could be equal to God. But in Jacob\rquote s dream, God provided the staircase. In John 1:51, Jesus said, \lquote
Really and truly I say to you that you will see heaven open. And you will see God\rquote s *angels go up and down upon the Son of Man.\rquote Jesus is the way to heaven. Jacob needed to know that God was near him. God was not far away.
\par Verse 13 \lquote The *Lord stood above it.\rquote This may be \lquote The *Lord stood above Jacob.\rquote Or \lquote The *Lord stood near Jacob.\rquote The word \lquote above\rquote shows that God was controlling the situation.
\par Abraham was Jacob\rquote s grandfather. People often used the word \lquote father\rquote to mean \lquote *ancestor\rquote . God showed to Jacob that God was really *blessing him. Jacob really wanted God\rquote s *blessing. In
fact, Jacob had even used wrong methods to try to get it. But God gives his *blessing where he wants to. We cannot earn it.
\par Verse 14 God made the same promises to Jacob that he (God) had made to Abraham and Isaac.
\par Verse 15 Jacob would return to this country that God had given to him. God would protect Jacob as he (Jacob) travelled.
\par Verse 17 Jacob was not afraid that something evil would happen. That was not what he meant. He knew God\rquote s *almighty power. But in Jacob\rquote s dream, he had seen God and he had heard
God. God had promised great things to him. And Jacob realised how weak he was.
\par Verse 18 Later, God did not allow the *Jews to put up columns. That was because the *Canaanites did that to *worship false gods. But Jacob put up this one here. In that way, he
wanted to remind himself and other people how great God was. And Jacob wanted to remember the exact place where he had this experience.
\par Verse 19 The place was probably not a city until later. It seems that Jacob was alone in the desert. \lquote Bethel\rquote means \lquote the house of God\rquote . Jacob gave this name to the place because he met God there.
\par Verses 20-21 Jacob agreed to serve God if God helped him. Jacob\rquote s words might sound as if he was trying to bargain with God. But we do not think that this was really Jacob\rquote s inten
tion. He knew that God was his God. He knew that God was great. He knew that God had promised to take care of him. And so he would *worship God.
\par Verse 22 At that time, Jacob had nothing to give! But he believed that God would *bless him. That was why he said this.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 29
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob marries
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Jacob went on his journey. He came to that country where the people in the east lived. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
He looked about and he saw a well in a field. Three *flocks of sheep were lying near the well. The stone that covered the well was very large. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *shepherds used to gather all the *flocks there. Then they rolled the stone from the well and they gave water to the sheep. After that, they put the stone back to cover the well.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said to the *shepherds, \lquote My brothers, where do you come from?\rquote
\par They said, \lquote We are from Haran.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob said to them, \lquote Do you know Laban, Nahor\rquote s son?\rquote
\par They replied, \lquote Yes, we know him.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob then asked whether Laban was well.
\par The *shepherds said, \lquote Yes. Look! Rachel, Laban\rquote s daughter, is coming with the sheep!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said, \lquote Look! It is still midday. It is not time to gather the *flocks together. Give water to your sheep and take them away to grass.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *shepherds said, \lquote We cannot do that until all the sheep are he
re. Then we roll away the stone from the well and we give water to the sheep.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 While Jacob was speaking to the *shepherds, Rachel came with her father\rquote s sheep. Rachel looked after the sheep. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob saw Rachel with Laban\rquote s sheep. Jacob went up to the well. He rolled away the stone that was covering the well. And he gave water to Laban\rquote
s *flock. Laban was the brother of Jacob\rquote s mother, and Rachel was Laban\rquote s daughter. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob kissed Rachel and he wept aloud. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob told Rachel that he was her father\rquote s nephew. Jacob told her that he was Rebekah\rquote s son. Rachel ran and she told her father about it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Laban heard that Jacob, his sister\rquote
s son, had come. And so then Laban ran to meet Jacob. Laban hugged Jacob and he kissed Jacob. And he took Jacob to Laban\rquote s home. Jacob told Laban what had happened. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said to Jacob, \lquote Truly you are my relative.\rquote
\par Jacob stayed with Laban for a month. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After that time, Laban said this to Jacob. \lquote You work for me. But you have no wages. That is not right, alt
hough you are my nephew. What shall I pay you?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban had two daughters. The older one was called Leah, and the younger one was called Rachel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah had weak eyes. But Rachel was beautiful and she was lovely to look at. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob loved Rachel. He said this to Laban. \lquote I will work for you for 7 years. So then I can marry Rachel, your younger daughter.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban replied, \lquote I would rather give her to you than to any other man. Stay with me.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob worked for 7 years for Rachel. But they only seemed like a few days because he loved her so much.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob said to Laban, \lquote Give my wife to me, so that I can have sex with her. I have finished the 7 years of work.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Laban gathered together all the local men and he made a *feast. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But in the evening he took his daughter Leah and he brought her to Jacob. And Jacob had sex with Leah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
(Laban gave his maid Zilpah to his daughter Leah to be Leah\rquote s maid.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In the morning, Jacob saw that it was Leah. He said to Laban, \lquote You have cheated me. I w
orked for you so that I could marry Rachel. Why have you cheated me?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said, \lquote Here, in our country, the younger daughter should not marry before the daughter that was born first. That is not our custom. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Finish the *feast for the wedding. The *feast lasts for a week. Then we will give the other daughter to you. But you must work for me for 7 more years.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob did that. He finished the *feast for Leah\rquote s wedding. Then Laban gave Rachel to Jacob as his wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Laban gave his maid Bilhah to his daughter Rachel to be Rachel\rquote s maid.) }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Jacob had sex with Rachel too. He loved Rachel more than he loved Leah. And he worked for Laban for 7 more years.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *Lord saw that Jacob did not love Leah. So then he made Leah able to have children. But Rachel was *barren. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah became *pregnant and she had a baby son. She called him Reuben. She said, \lquote The *Lord has seen that I was unhappy. Now therefore my husband will love me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah became *pregnant again and she had a baby son. She said, \lquote The
*Lord has heard that Jacob did not love me. And so the *Lord has given me another son.\rquote She called that son Simeon.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah became *pregnant again and she had a baby son. And she said, \lquote Now my husband will want me because I have had three sons for him.\rquote
So Leah called that son Levi.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah became *pregnant again and she had another baby son. She said, \lquote This time I will praise the *Lord.\rquote
Therefore she called that son Judah. Then she stopped. She did not have any more children.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It was God\rquote
s plan that Jacob would have a large family. God had already promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that they would have many *descendants. But perhaps Jacob did not realise that God wanted him (Jacob) to have many children. It was the custom at that time for
an important man to have many wives. But Jacob\rquote s father, Isaac, married only one wife.
\par Jacob\rquote s intention was to marry Rachel. He loved her as soon as he saw her. And he tried to impress her. He moved a large stone so that he could give water to her sheep. S
oon afterwards, Jacob offered to work for 7 years so that he could marry Rachel.
\par At the end of the 7 years, Laban (Rachel\rquote s father) cheated Jacob. It was the custom that the bride would cover her face at the wedding. The morning afterwards, Jacob discovered that he had married Leah (Rachel\rquote
s sister). Jacob never really loved Leah. But he did not refuse to accept her as his wife.
\par Laban allowed Jacob to marry Rachel too. But Laban insisted that Jacob must work for another 7 years for Rachel.
\par All this time, Ja
cob was learning to be humble. At home, Jacob used schemes to get whatever he wanted. But on the journey, Jacob had decided to serve God (Genesis 28:20-21). And now Jacob was learning to accept whatever God wanted to give him. In the end, God would give J
acob 12 sons. And their families would become the great nation that God had promised.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-3 Jacob arrived near the home of Nahor\rquote s family, who were Rebekah\rquote s relatives. The *shepherds had brought some sheep near the well. But they w
ere waiting for other *shepherds to arrive. Then they would remove the stone that covered the well.
\par Verse 4 Like Abraham\rquote s servant (chapter 24), Jacob quickly found the people that he was looking for.
\par Verse 5 Laban was actually Nahor\rquote s grandson. The *Hebrew word for \lquote son\rquote can also mean \lquote *descendant\rquote . This is what it means here.
\par Verse 6 To look after the sheep seems to have been a woman\rquote s job too. So, Rachel brought Laban\rquote s sheep. Rachel was the first member of Laban\rquote s family that Jacob met. Jacob was very e
xcited to see her. It seems that he loved her at once.
\par Verses 7-8 Perhaps there were very many sheep that used water from the same well. So it might have been difficult to wait until the cooler evening to give water to them all. The stone that covered the
well was very heavy. It was fairly difficult for one man to move it alone. It was easier when more than one man moved it. Also, it was safer to take the cover off the well less often. It was safer because then the well had a cover over it for a longer tim
e.
\par Verses 9-10 Jacob wanted to impress Rachel. So, he moved the stone himself in order to provide water for her sheep. By this action, Jacob was showing Rachel that he would look after her.
\par Jacob\rquote s mother, Rebekah, had used a well in that area in chapter 24. She provided water for Abraham\rquote s servant and his camels. Soon afterwards, Rebekah married Isaac. Perhaps Jacob was already hoping that he could marry Rachel.
\par Verse 11 Jacob and Rachel were relatives. So, perhaps it was the custom to kiss. But we shall soon see how much he really loved her.
\par Verses 12-13 Laban and Rachel may have thought that Jacob would have valuable presents. Abraham\rquote s servant had brought presents when he was arranging a wife for Isaac. But Jacob had nothing.
\par Verses 14-17 It was the custom to be friendly to all visitors. And Laban was especially pleased with Jacob, who was a relative. Laban invited Jacob to stay in Laban\rquote s home. Laban was probably hoping that Jacob would marry Leah or Rachel.
\par Jacob was not lazy. He worked hard while he stayed with Laban.
\par Verse 18 Jacob had no \lquote bride price\rquote to offer. (In other words, he had no money to \lquote pay for\rquote
his bride.) 7 years of work was a lot to give for a bride. But Jacob loved Rachel and he needed a home. Probably Jacob and Rachel were engaged, but they were not living together. That is like Joseph and Mary in the *New Testament.
\par Verse 20 Jacob really loved Rachel. He was happy as he worked. So he did not feel as if he was waiting for her.
\par Verse 21 Jacob had to go to Laban to claim his wife. Perhaps
Laban did not want Jacob and Rachel to marry at once. Laban could remember how quickly Rebekah left home (Genesis 24:54-56). Both Jacob and Rachel were good workers. Laban did not want them to leave.
\par Verse 22 Laban arranged the wedding for his daughter and Jacob. But Laban was not an honest man.
\par It seems that Laban and his family knew about the real God (Genesis 24:31; 24:50). But perhaps they were not still serving God. They had images of false gods in their home (Genesis 31:30-35).
\par Verse 23 Laban cheated Jacob. Laban gave his older daughter, Leah, to Jacob instead of Rachel. The bride wore a *veil for the wedding, and the place was very dark. Also, Jacob had drunk wine.
\par Verse 25 In the morning, Jacob discovered that he had married the wrong woman. He complained to Laban. Rachel was the woman whom Jacob loved.
\par Verse 26 Among Jacob\rquote s relatives the oldest son (the son that was born first in the family) had special rights. (In fact, Jacob bought those rights from Esau.) Here, Laban mentioned the idea that in hi
s country the oldest daughter had special rights. But this excuse was not fair. Jacob believed that he was marrying Rachel. And Laban had not been honest.
\par Verse 27 When there was a wedding, people organised a *feast for it. The *feast lasted for one week.
Jacob could have left afterwards, with his two brides. But Laban trusted that Jacob would stay. Jacob could not trust Laban. But Laban knew that he could trust Jacob.
\par Later, God\rquote s law did not allow a man to marry two sisters.
\par Verses 28-30 So, Jacob had two wives. And each wife had a maid.
\par Verse 31 God was carrying out his promise. God was watching Jacob and his family, so that God could look after them.
\par Jacob never really loved Leah. But he accepted her as his wife. And God was kind to her. He helped her to have several children.
\par Rachel was the wife whom Jacob really loved. But, like Sarah and Rebekah, it was difficult for Rachel to have children.
\par Verse 32 Reuben meant \lquote Look, a son!\rquote God was making Leah into the mother of many *tribes. The *tribes would belong to the nation called Israel. In that way, Leah was a part of God\rquote s plan. But she could not force Jacob to love her.
\par Verse 33 \lquote Simeon\rquote is like a *Hebrew word. The word means that someone \lquote has heard\rquote .
\par Verse 34 \lquote Levi\rquote is like the word for \lquote love\rquote .
\par Verse 35 \lquote Judah\rquote is like the word for \lquote praise\rquote . Leah was grateful to God for her children. Perhaps she was not still trying to persuade Jacob to love her. Perha
ps now she was content that God cared about her. So she praised God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 30
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s family
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Rachel saw that she was not having any children for Jacob. So then she was jealous of her sister. Rachel said to Jacob, \lquote Give children to me, otherwise I shall die.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob was very angry with Rachel. And he said, \lquote I am not God! You have not had children because God has prevented it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rachel said, \lquote Here is my maid Bilhah. Have sex with her. So then she can have a child for me. And so then I shall have children.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Rachel gave Bilhah to Jacob as a wife. And Jacob had sex with her. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Bilhah became *pregnant and she had a baby son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rachel said, \lquote
God has been fair to me. He heard my voice and he has given a son to me.\rquote So she called the son Dan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rachel\rquote s maid Bilhah became *pregnant again. And she had another baby son for Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rachel said, \lquote I have struggled hard with my sister and I have won.\rquote So she called that son Naphtali.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah saw that she (Leah) was not having children any longer. So then she took her maid Zilpah. And she gave Zilpah to Jacob as a wife. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Leah\rquote s maid Zilpah had a baby son for Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Leah said, \lquote We are lucky.\rquote So she called the son Gad.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah\rquote s maid Zilpah had another son for Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Leah said, \lquote I am very happy. The women will call me happy.\rquote So she called that son Asher.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It was the time when people harvested wheat. Reuben went and he found *mandrakes in the field. He took them to his mother Leah. Rachel said to Leah,
\lquote Please give some of your son\rquote s *mandrakes to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Leah replied, \lquote You have already taken away my husband. Now you want to take away my son\rquote s *mandrakes too!\rquote
\par Rachel said, \lquote Jacob can have sex with you tonight, if you will give your son\rquote s *mandrakes to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob was coming in from the field in the evening. Then Leah went out to meet him. And she said, \lquote
You must have sex with me tonight. I have hired you with my son\rquote s *mandrakes.\rquote So Jacob had sex with Leah that night.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God heard Leah and she became *pregnant. She had her 5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 son for Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah said, \lquote God has given my reward to me, because I gave my maid to my husband.\rquote
So she called her son Issachar.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Leah became *pregnant again. And she had her 6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
son for Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Leah said, \lquote God has given a good reward to me. Now my husband will give honour to me. I have had 6 sons for him.\rquote
So she called that son Zebulun.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After that, Leah had a baby daughter. And she called her Dinah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God *blessed Rachel. God listened to her. And he made her able to have children. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rachel became *pregnant and she had a baby son. She said, \lquote God has taken away my shame.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Rachel called her son Joseph. And she said, \lquote Let the *Lord add another son to me!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said this to Laban: \lquote Send me away to my own home, to my own country. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Give my wives and my children to me. I have worked hard for them. Please let me go. You know how well I have served you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban replied, \lquote I have grown rich and the *Lord has *blessed me. I have learned that it has happened because of you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Please name the wages that you want. And I will give them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said, \lquote You yourself know how hard I have worked for you. Your *cattle have grown fat and healthy in my care. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You had few things before I came. But now you have many things. The *Lord has *blessed you by means of everything that I have done here. Now I need to take care of my own *household.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban replied, \lquote What shall I give to you?\rquote
\par Jacob said, \lquote You need not give anything to me. But please do this for me. I will take care of your *flock and I will feed it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But please let me go through all your *flock today. Let me remove all those sheep and goats that have *speckles and spots. And let me remove the black *lambs. Those will be my wages. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Afterwards you can prove that I have not cheated you. You can prove that I have not taken more than I should. All my goats will have *speckles or spots. And my *lambs will be black. If there are any other ani
mals, then I will have stolen them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said, \lquote That is good. I agree to that.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 But that same day, Laban took away the male goats that had stripes and spots. And he took away the female goats that had *speckles and spots. Laban took away all the
animals that had any white on them. And he took away every *lamb that was black. Laban told his sons to look after them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
And he told his sons to go away from Jacob, so that the journey between them and Jacob took three days. Jacob fed the rest of Laban\rquote s *flock.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob then took fresh branches from *poplar trees, *almond trees and *plane trees. And he *peeled the branches so that they had white stripes. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He took the branches that he had *peeled. And he placed them in the *troughs that contained wa
ter. The water was for the animals to drink. So when the *flocks came to drink, those branches were in front of them. And the animals mated when they came to drink. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 So they mated in front of the branches. The *flocks then gave birth to *kids that had stripes, *speckles and spots. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob separated the *lambs. In Laban\rquote s *flocks, there were animals with stripes. And there were black sheep. Jacob put his own *flocks so that their faces were towards those particular animals. Then Jacob put his own *flock
s aside. He separated them from Laban\rquote s *flock. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Some animals that came to mate were stronger and healthier. Then Jacob took the branches that he had *peeled. And he put those branches in the *troughs of water. So the branches were in front of those str
onger animals. And those animals saw the branches as they mated among them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob did not put up those branches when the weaker animals were mating. Therefore the weaker animals were Laban\rquote s and the stronger ones were Jacob\rquote s. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v43}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 So Jacob became extremely rich. He had large *flocks. He had male and female servants. And he had camels and *donkeys.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 30 continues the account of the birth of Jacob\rquote s sons. Jacob\rquote s wives persuaded Jacob to accept their maids as *concubines. So, Jacob had children by 4
different women. Rachel, whom Jacob really loved, was the last of these women have babies.
\par Afterwards, Jacob wanted to leave Laban. God had promised Jacob that Jacob would return home (Genesis 28:15). Perhaps Jacob wanted to bring up his sons in the count
ry that God had promised to their *descendants. But Laban persuaded Jacob to wait. Laban offered to pay Jacob for his work. They agreed which animals would belong to Jacob in the future. And so, Jacob became wealthy.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 Jacob\rquote s wives could have shared the joys that their husband and children gave to them. Instead, they were jealous of each other. And as a result, there was trouble among Jacob\rquote
s sons later. Rachel became sad when she could not have children. She even blamed Jacob.
\par Verses 3-5 It was the custom for a man to accept his wife\rquote
s maid as a *concubine. Abraham did this in Genesis 16:2-4. We do not know whether Jacob wanted to follow this custom. But Rachel was desperate. She could not have her own children. So, she wanted
Bilhah to have children that Rachel could look after, with her.
\par Verse 6 The name \lquote Dan\rquote means \lquote God is my judge\rquote . That is, God has been fair to me.
\par Verse 8 \lquote Naphtali\rquote probably means a \lquote fight\rquote or a \lquote struggle\rquote . It is a rare word. And so we are not sure what it means. Some people think that it means \lquote God\rquote s fight\rquote . The \lquote fight\rquote
or \lquote struggle\rquote might mean these things:
\par 1) a powerful fight or struggle;
\par 2) a struggle in the place where God had put her; that is, a struggle with her sister as Jacob\rquote s other wife;
\par 3) a struggle with God when she was asking him to give children to her; that is, a struggle in prayer.
\par Verse 9-10 We do not know whether Jacob wanted another *concubine. Jacob did not really love Leah. Laban forced Jacob to marry her. But Jacob was always fair to Leah. So, he accepted her maid too.
\par Verse 11 \lquote Gad\rquote means \lquote good luck\rquote .
\par Verse 13 \lquote Asher\rquote means \lquote happy\rquote .
\par Verse 14 *Mandrakes were plants. People thought that those plants could help a person to love his or her partner. They thought that the plants could help
*barren women. The plants would help such women to become *pregnant. Rachel had never been *pregnant. And she was desperate to have children. This is why she wanted the *mandrakes.
\par Verses 15-17 It is clear that Jacob spent very little time with Leah. Leah very much wanted Jacob\rquote s love and Rachel very much wanted children. But it was Leah who had another son after this event.
\par Verse 18 \lquote Issachar\rquote may mean \lquote Let God be *merciful\rquote . Or it may mean a \lquote hired man\rquote .
\par Verse 20 Zebulun probably means \lquote honour\rquote .
\par Verse 21 People did not usually include daughters in lists of people\rquote s children. Later, however, Dinah was an important part of the story about this family. \lquote Dinah\rquote meant \lquote judgement\rquote .
\par Verses 22-23 At last, Rachel had a son. She always wanted children. But she had to wait for a long time.
\par Verse 24 \lquote Joseph\rquote means \lquote Let the *Lord add.\rquote Rachel was praying for another son. And, in the end, Rachel did have another son. But that was not a happy event (Genesis 35:16-19).
\par Verses 25-26 Jacob had stayed with Laban for 14 years.
During that time, Jacob worked in order to pay for his marriages to Leah and Rachel. The time that he agreed to work had ended. So, Jacob wanted to return home to the country that God promised to him. He probably also wanted to introduce his wives and ch
ildren to his mother.
\par Verses 27-28 Laban knew that God had made him (Laban) rich because of Jacob. And so Laban did not want Jacob to go. Laban offered wages in order to keep Jacob there.
\par Verses 29-34 A *shepherd\rquote s wages were sometimes one from every four a
nimals that were born. Laban thought that the animals with marks would be fewer than that. We do not know how *speckles and spots were different. The sizes of the marks were probably different.
\par Laban and Jacob agreed which animals would belong to Jacob. The animals with marks would belong to Jacob. The animals without marks would belong to Laban.
\par Verse 35-36 Laban did not really want Jacob to receive any wages. Laban led away all the animals that had marks. So, Jacob was looking after animals that had no ma
rks. Of course, young animals would be born. Laban thought that the young animals would have no marks. He was trying to cheat Jacob.
\par Verses 37-40 It seems that Jacob had a dream at this time (Genesis 31:10-12). Jacob\rquote s behaviour may seem strange to us. But
perhaps he was acting the events that he saw in this dream. Whatever happened, God made Jacob wealthy. Jacob knew that Laban was trying to cheat. But Jacob was trusting God (Genesis 31:5-7)
\par Verse 41-42 God even allowed Jacob to own the stronger animals. But Laban\rquote s animals were weaker.
\par Verse 43 God had promised that he would take care of Abraham and his *descendants. And clearly, God was doing what he had promised.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 31
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob runs away to Canaan
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban\rquote
s sons said that Jacob had taken all their father\rquote s things. Jacob heard that. They said that Jacob had become very rich from Laban\rquote s *flocks. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jacob saw that Laban was not so kind to him as before.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the *Lord said to Jacob, \lquote Return to your fathers\rquote country. Go back to your family and I will be with you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob sent for Rachel and Leah. He called them into the field where his *flock was. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said to his wives, \lquote I see this. Your father is not so kind to me as he was. But my father\rquote s God has been with me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You know that I have served your father with all my strength. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
However, your father has cheated me. He has changed my wages 10 times. But God did not let him hurt me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Sometimes your father said that my wages would
be the animals with spots. Then all the *flocks had young animals with spots. Sometimes he said that my wages would be the animals with stripes. Then all the *flocks had young animals with stripes. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}
{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So God took away your father\rquote s animals and he gave them to me.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
In the season when the *flock mated, I looked up. And I saw this in a dream. The male goats that mated with the *flock had stripes, spots and *speckles. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Then the *angel of God spoke to me. He spoke in my dream. He said, \'93Jacob!\'94 And I replied, \'93Here I am.\'94 }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He said, \'93
Look up and see. All the goats that are mating with the *flock have stripes, spots and *speckles. I have seen what Laban is doing to you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I am the God who was at Bethel. You put oil on a column and you made a promise to me there. Now get up. Go away from this country. Go back to the country where you were born.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Rachel and Leah replied, \lquote Our father will not give any of his wealth to us. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He behaves towards us as if we were foreigners. He has sold us and he has used up our money. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God has taken things away from our father. All this belongs to us and it belongs to our children. So do what God has told you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob got up. He put his sons on camels and he put his wives on camels. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In Paddan Aram, Jacob had got *cattle and animals. He took them away with him. He set out for the country called Canaan to go to his father Isaac.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban had gone to cut the wool off his sheep. Rachel stole the gods that her father had had in his *household. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And Jacob cheated Laban, who was from the people called Arameans. Jacob did not tell Laban that he (Jacob) was going away. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob ran away with everything that he had. He got up and he crossed the Euphrates River. He set out for the hilly country called Gilead.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Three days later, someone told Laban that Jacob had run away. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Laban took his relatives with him. He chased Jacob for 7 days. He came near to Jacob in the hilly country called Gilead. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
God came to Laban, who was from the people called Arameans. God came in a dream at night. He said to Laban, \lquote Be careful. Do not say anything either good or bad to Jacob.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban caught up with Jacob. Jacob had put up his tent in the hilly country. Laban and his relatives also put up their tents in th
at hilly country called Gilead. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said to Jacob, \lquote
You have cheated me. You have carried away my daughters. They are like prisoners that someone has taken in war. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You ran away in secret. You cheated me. You did not tell me that you were going. I would have had a merry party for you with songs, *tambourine and *lyre. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 I was not able to kiss my daughters and family. I was not able to say goodbye. You have been silly. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I am able to hurt you. However, your father\rquote s God spoke to me last night. He said to me, \'93Be careful. Do not say anything either good or bad to Jacob.\'94 }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 You very much wanted to go back to your father\rquote s house. That is why you have gone away. But why did you steal my gods?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob answered Laban, \lquote I ran away because I was afraid. I thought that you would take away your daughters from me by force. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You might discover that someone has taken your gods. If so, that person shall die. I might have something that is yours. If that is so, then take it. We have our relatives as witnesses.\rquote
Now Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the gods from the *household.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Laban went into Jacob\rquote s tent. Then Laban went into Leah\rquote
s tent. He also went into the tent where the two female servants were living. But he did not find the gods. Laban went out of Leah\rquote s tent. He went into Rachel\rquote s tent. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rachel had taken the gods that were from the *household. And she had put them in the camel\rquote s saddle. She was then sitting on them. Laban felt all round the tent. But he did not find the gods.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rachel said to her father, \lquote Do not be angry because I do not stand up in front of you. What happens to women is happening to me.\rquote
So Laban searched everything. But he did not find the gods from the *household.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob became very angry. He accused Laban. Jacob said to Laban, \lquote
I have done not done anything wrong. I have not hurt you. But you have chased after me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
You have felt everything that I have. But you have not found the gods from your *household. Tell your story here in front of our relatives, yours and mine. Let them decide who is right. Let them decide whether it is you or I.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I have served you as a slave for 20 years. Your female sheep and female goats have given birth safely. I have not eaten the male sheep from your *flocks. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 I did not bring to you the animals that wild animals had torn. I myself paid for them. You made me pay for animals that someone had stolen during the day or the night. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 That is how I suffered. I worked during the very hot days and I worked during the cold nights. I could not sleep. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 For 20 years I have been in your house. I served you as your slave. I served you for 14 years to get your two daughters. And then I served you for 6 years to get your *flock. You changed my wages 10 times. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My father\rquote s God looked after me. He is Abraham\rquote
s God. And he is the God whom Isaac greatly respects. You would have sent me away with nothing if God had let you do that. God saw how much I suffered. He saw how hard I have worked for you. He warned you last night.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v43}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Laban answered Jacob. Laban said, \lquote
These daughters are my daughters. These children are my family. Everything that you can see is mine. I cannot do anything today for my family. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v44}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Come! Let us (you and me) make a *covenant. Let it show what you and I have promised between us.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v45}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob took a stone. He put it up as a column. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v46}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jacob asked his relatives to collect stones. So they took stones. They heaped them up into a pile. Then they ate together by that heap of stones. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v47}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Laban called the pile \lquote Jegarsahadutha\rquote . And Jacob called it \lquote Galeed\rquote .
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v48}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban said, \lquote This heap of stones shows what you and I have promised between us today.\rquote So it was called Galeed. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v49}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Laban also called the column Mizpah, because he said this: \lquote Let the *Lord watch between you and me when we are away from each other. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v50}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Do not hurt my daughters. Do not take any other wives apart from my daughters. Maybe nobody will see what we do. But remember this. God is watching you and me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v51}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Laban also said this to Jacob. \lquote Look at this heap of stones and look at this column. I have put them up between you and me. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v52}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This heap of stones shows what we have promised. The column also shows what we have promised. I will not go past this heap in order to hurt you. And you will not go
past the heap (and the column) in order to hurt me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v53}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let God be the judge between you and me. He is Abraham\rquote s God and he is Nahor\rquote
s God. And he is their father\rquote s God.\rquote
\par So Jacob made a very serious promise. As a witness, he named the Person that his father Isaac respected greatly. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v54}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob offered a *sacrifice on the mountain. He called his relatives to eat food. They had a meal. They stayed on the mountain all night.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v55}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Early in the morning, Laban got up. He kissed his grandchildren and his daughters. He *blessed them. Then he set out and he returned home.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob had worked very hard for Laban. But Laban and his sons did not respect Jacob. Laban continued to cheat and he did not pay fair wages to Jacob. And Laban\rquote s sons were starting to accuse Jacob. Th
ey said that Jacob stole his wealth from Laban. This was not true. In fact, Jacob had become wealthy. But it was God who made Jacob wealthy.
\par In the end, God told Jacob to leave Laban. Jacob did not delay. He took his family and his animals.
\par Jacob did not tell anyone else that his family were leaving. They did not even say goodbye to Laban.
\par After three days, Laban heard that Jacob had left. Laban gathered his relatives to chase Jacob. We do not know what Laban intended to do to Jacob. Probably Laban wanted t
o take back his daughters and the animals. But, that night, God warned Laban in a dream. So, God was protecting Jacob.
\par On the next day, Laban and Jacob met. They argued with each other. But Laban was careful about his words, because God had warned him.
\par Laban and Jacob decided to make a *covenant. But this *covenant was not an agreement of friendship. Instead, they promised to stay apart. Then, their sons would not fight each other.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Laban was getting old. Laban\rquote s sons were now adults. The sons were afraid that they would not receive Laban\rquote
s wealth. They were afraid that Jacob might get it. But they were accusing Jacob of something that was not true. Jacob never stole Laban\rquote s wealth. In fact, Laban became wealthy because Jacob wa
s working for Laban (Genesis 30:27). And now God had made Jacob wealthy too.
\par Verse 2 Everyone knew that Laban did not like Jacob. That was because Jacob had become very rich. And Laban was jealous.
\par Verse 3 Jacob had a good reason to go away. Also, God had ordered him to go. In the *Hebrew text, the writer says that Laban had \lquote turned his face away from Jacob\rquote . It means that Laban did not like Jacob. But God had \lquote
turned his own face\rquote towards Jacob. He was looking after Jacob.
\par Verse 4 Jacob wanted his wives to go with him. He did not want them to stay with Laban. He wanted to be sure about that. Jacob and his wives met together in a field. From that, we learn that they were just part of Laban\rquote
s *household. They did not have their own home where they could be alone and safe.
\par Jacob did not force his wives to leave Laban. Jacob allowed them to choose.
\par Verses 5-6 Jacob knew that God had helped him. And Jacob was grateful.
\par Verse 7 \lquote 10 times\rquote may be a way to say \lquote many times\rquote .
\par Verse 8 It seems that the story in Genesis 30:25-43 was just an example of Jacob\rquote s problems with Laban. In fact, Laban changed Jacob\rquote s wages many times. Laban was not an honest employer.
\par Verse 9 In the *Hebrew text, the writer says this: \lquote God has }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 rescued}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 your father\rquote s animals.\rquote
\par Verses 10-12 God was guiding Jacob. An *angel spoke to Jacob during the dream.
\par Verse 13 At Bethel, Jacob had made a promise to God. Jacob would obey God if God looked after him. Here, God is reminding him about that promise. Jacob should do as he had promised.
\par Verse 14 Leah and Rachel believed that Laban had cheated them. They were his daughters. But he seemed to act as if they were strangers. A husband usually paid \lquote bride money\rquote to his bride\rquote
s father. (It was like a payment to get the bride.) The father usually kept that mon
ey. But Jacob had no money. Instead, he worked for the father as a payment. Leah and Rachel thought that they should receive money from their father Laban. They thought that because their husband Jacob had worked for him.
\par Verse 15 Laban was behaving toward
s his daughters as if they were the wives of a slave. Daughters did not *inherit from their father. Only sons *inherited. But Laban had not given the right wages to Jacob. In that way, he had cheated Jacob. So he had cheated Jacob\rquote
s wives and family also.
\par Verse 16 Rachel and Leah thought that they could take their father\rquote s wealth. Rachel even stole something (verse 19). But, in fact, God had not given Laban\rquote s wealth to them. Really, God had given to Jacob his own wealth.
\par Verse 18 Jacob had come to Laban alone. Jacob had come without anything. The story shows how God had *blessed Jacob. God had given a lot of wealth to Jacob. God had promised to do that. He had also done that to Abraham and Isaac.
\par Verse 19 Laban was probably a fairly long distance away from home. When people cut the wool off sheep, it was a very important occasion. There was often a *feast at that time. The \lquote gods\rquote
that Rachel took from the *household were probably small *idols. Families *worshipped them. They thought that the *idols protected
them. The *idols might have been images that were like *ancestors. We do not know why Rachel stole them. Perhaps the person that had them had a right to the family\rquote
s property. Perhaps she thought that the *idols would protect her during the journey. Perhaps she liked the *idols. Maybe Rachel just wanted to have something from home. Or maybe she wanted to make her father angry!
\par People in the Bible often had *idols. They did not always realise that *idols are false gods. So they did not always realise that it is wrong to have *idols. But God\rquote
s command was that people should not make *idols (Deuteronomy 5:8). We should only serve the real God (Deuteronomy 5:7).
\par Verses 20-21 Jacob and his family left in secret. Laban did not discover until three days afterwards.
\par Verses 22-23 Laban and his relatives followed Jacob. But Laban travelled faster than Jacob. Unlike Jacob, Laban did not have children and animals to look after as he travelled. So, Laban soon caught up with Jacob.
\par Verse 24 God told Laban to agree with Jacob always. In the *Hebrew text, God says this to Laban: \lquote Say not a word to Jacob either good or bad.\rquote In other words, \lquote Do not encourage Jacob to return. And do not force him.\rquote
\par Verse 26 Jacob did not owe anything to Laban. Laban wanted to keep Jacob. That w
as because Jacob was a good worker. And God was *blessing what Jacob did. Masters did not let slaves take away wives and families. But Jacob had worked hard to get his wives. He was Laban\rquote s nephew. He was not a slave.
\par Verses 27-28 Laban was unhappy that Jacob had left in secret. But Laban pretended that he was happy for Jacob to leave. This was probably not true.
\par It seems that Laban did not really care about his daughters. They had complained that he was unfair to them in verses 14-16.
\par Verses 29-30 Laban knew that the real God had spoken to him. But Laban still wanted Jacob to return Laban\rquote s *idols (false gods). Perhaps the *idols were gold. So, they were valuable. Jacob did not know who stole them.
\par Verse 32 The writer writes in a very clever way here. We kn
ow that Rachel stole the gods from the *household at the beginning. And the writer makes us wonder whether Laban will find the *idols. We wonder what will happen. But we have to wait for a while before we can know that.
\par Verses 33-34 Laban looked for his *idols. Nobody expected that Rachel would steal anything. So Laban looked in the other tents first.
\par Verse 35 Rachel was not very gentle with the *idols here. She was sitting on them.
\par Verses 38-40 Jacob\rquote s and Laban\rquote s argument sounds like the discussions in a court. Laban accused Jacob. But Laban could not prove anything. Now Jacob accused Laban. Of course, there was no human judge. God was their only judge.
\par Verse 41 \lquote Ten times\rquote may not mean the exact number ten. It may mean \lquote many times\rquote .
\par Verse 42 In the *Hebrew text, Jacob calls God \lquote the fear of Isaac\rquote . It can mean the God whom Isaac respected very greatly. And he was the God whom Isaac obeyed. It can also mean the God who makes people afraid. Jacob spoke to Laban ver
y clearly. Jacob said that God was *blessing him (Jacob). He said that God was watching him so that he (God) could protect him. And Jacob said that God had already acted as their judge. God had already spoken to Laban. And God had told Laban what to do.
\par Verse 43 Laban was not willing to give in to Jacob. But Laban knew that he (Laban) could not win against God.
\par Verses 45-46 When people made *covenants, they sometimes built a heap of stones. So, when people saw the stones, they would remember about the *covenant.
\par Verses 47-49 The name that Laban called the stones was in his language. And the name that Jacob called them was in Jacob\rquote s language. Both names mean \lquote heap of witness\rquote
. The heap was like a witness. A witness gives evidence. And the heap was evidence that those men had made the *covenant. Mizpah means \lquote watch-post\rquote (a place where a guard is watching).
\par Verse 50 Jacob had to promise not to marry any more wives.
\par Verses 51-52 The purpose of the heap of stones was to separate Jacob\rquote s *descendants from Laban\rquote s *descendants. Then, they would not fight.
\par Verse 53 Laban talked about \lquote Abraham\rquote s God\rquote . Laban also talked about \lquote Nahor\rquote s God\rquote and \lquote their father\rquote s God\rquote
. Maybe Laban meant that all those men had the same God. Or he might have meant that Nahor and the father
did not have the same God as Abraham did. (Look at Joshua 24:2, 14, 15.) Abraham *worshipped the one real God. And Jacob called only the one real God, the God of his father Isaac, as his witness.
\par Verse 54 The writer does not tell us whether Laban was also offering the *sacrifice together with Jacob.
\par Verse 55 When Laban first met Jacob, Laban was very friendly to him. But when Laban said goodbye to Jacob, Laban was less friendly to him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 32
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s journey home
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob went on his journey and God\rquote s *
angels met him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And when Jacob saw them, he said, \lquote This is God\rquote s army.\rquote So Jacob called that place \lquote Mahanaim\rquote .
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob sent some people ahead of him to take a message to his brother Esau. (Esau was in the region called Seir, in the country called Edom.) }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob told those people to say this message to Esau. \lquote
Your servant Jacob says this to my *lord Esau. Jacob has stayed with Laban. And he has lived with Laban until now. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob has *oxen, *donkeys and *flocks. And he has male and female servants. He has sent us to tell this to my *lord Esau. Jacob wants Esau to have a kind attitude towards him (Jacob).\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The people that had taken the message came back to Jacob. And they said, \lquote We went to your brother Esau. He is coming to meet you with 400 men.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Jacob was very afraid and he was very unhappy. He divided his people into two groups. He also divided the *flocks, *herds and camels into two groups. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 He thought that Esau might come to one group. He thought that Esau might kill that group. Then the other group might escape.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said to God, \lquote
You are the God of my father Abraham and you are the God of my father Isaac. *Lord, you told me to go back to my country and relatives. Then you would *bless me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 You have always been kind to me, your servant. And you have always been *faithful to me. I do not deserve that. I only had my stick when I crossed this river Jordan. Now I have become two large groups of people and animals. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Please save me from my brother\rquote s power. Save me from Esau\rquote s power. I
am afraid of him. I am afraid that he will come to kill me. I am afraid that he will kill us all, including the mothers and children. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You did say,
\'93I will *bless you. I will make your *descendants like the sand on the beach. Nobody will be able to count them.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob stayed there that night. Then he chose a present for his brother Esau. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He took 200 female goats, 20 male goats, 200 female sheep and 20 male sheep. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
He took 30 female camels that could give good milk, with their young camels. He took 40 female cows and 10 male cows. And he took 20 female *donkeys and 10 male *donkeys. Jacob took those from the animals that he had with him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He took the animals that he had chosen. And he put them into his servants\rquote care. Every *flock was separate. He said to his servants, \lquote
Go ahead in front of me. Leave a space between the separate *flocks.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He said this to the servant in front. \lquote
Esau, my brother, will meet you. He will ask you who your master is. He will ask you where you are going. He will also ask you who owns all these animals. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Then you must say to him, \'93They belong to your servant Jacob. They are a present to my *lord Esau. Jacob himself is behind us.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said the same thing to the second and third servants. He said the
same thing to all those that were looking after the *flocks. He told them that each servant must say the same thing to Esau when they met Esau. They must say the same thing as the first servant said. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They must make sure that they say this: \lquote Your servant Jacob himself is behind us.\rquote Jacob thought, \lquote
With my present, I may stop his anger. My present is in front of me. After that, I shall see Esau\rquote s face. Perhaps he will accept me.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Jacob\rquote s present went ahead in front of Jacob. Jacob himself stayed in the camp that night.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
That same night, Jacob got up. He took his two wives, his two maids and his 11 children. He crossed the Jabbok River at the place where the water was very shallow. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jacob took all those people and he sent them across the river. He sent across the river everything that he owned. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Jacob remained alone. A man fought with Jacob until dawn. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The man saw that he was not winning against Jacob. So the man touched the curve between Jacob\rquote s *thigh and Jacob\rquote s stomach. Jacob had stretched the joint of his *thigh while he fought with the man. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the man said, \lquote Let me go because day is coming.\rquote
\par But Jacob said, \lquote I will not let you go until you *bless me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man said to Jacob, \lquote What is your name?\rquote
\par He replied, \lquote Jacob.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the man said, \lquote
Your name will not be Jacob any longer. It will be Israel. You have fought with God and you have fought with men. And you have won.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob said, \lquote Please tell me your name.\rquote
\par But the man replied, \lquote You do not need to ask my name.\rquote Then he *blessed Jacob.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob called the place Peniel. He said, \lquote
I have seen God. I have looked at his face while he was looking at mine. And although that happened, I am still alive.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sun rose while Jacob passed Peniel. He was walking badly because of what happened to his *thigh. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There is a *sinew in the curve next to an animal\rquote s *thigh. But the *Israelites do not eat that *sinew. God touched the curve next to Jacob\rquote s *thigh where Jacob\rquote
s similar *sinew was. That is why the *Israelites still do not eat that *sinew in an animal.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When Jacob left Canaan, Esau was plotting to kill him. Now Jacob was returning to Canaan. And Jacob realised that he would have to meet Esau.
\par Jacob was afraid. He thought that Esau might still be very angry. And he heard that Esau had 400 men with him. Jacob knew that his family and servants could not defeat Esau\rquote s men.
\par Jacob made plans in case Esau\rquote s men attacked. Jacob separated his family into groups. He hoped that some would esca
pe. And he sent his servants with gifts for Esau. Jacob hoped that the gifts would please Esau. And Jacob wanted to show that he respected Esau as his older brother.
\par Jacob had to depend on God. If Esau was angry, only God could save Jacob. Jacob prayed for
help. Jacob had a special experience in prayer. He seemed to be fighting a man. That man was probably an *angel. The man was stronger than Jacob. But the man could not overcome Jacob. So, Jacob struggled with God in prayer. And Jacob continued until God
*blessed him. Now, Jacob was trusting God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Jacob met God\rquote s *angels. They showed that God was with him.
\par Verse 2 \lquote Mahanaim\rquote means \lquote two camps\rquote . Maybe there were two armies of *angels. (But we do not know why there would be two armies.) Or maybe \lquote two camps\rquote meant Jacob\rquote s camp and the *angels\rquote
camp. Afterwards, Jacob separated his own camp into two camps (verse 7).
\par Verse 3 The region was called Seir. \lquote Seir\rquote is like the *Hebrew word for \lquote hairy\rquote . The country was called Edom. \lquote Edom\rquote is like the *Hebrew word for \lquote red\rquote
. And Esau had red skin, because he was outdoors so much. Esau was a good hunter and he liked to be outdoors (Genesis 25:27). So, because of the name \lquote Edom\rquote , people could easily remember who Esau was.
\par Verses 4-5 Jacob was trying to make sure that Esau was not angry. So several times Jacob called Esau \lquote my *lord\rquote and Jacob called himself \lquote your servant\rquote
. This was the usual way for a younger brother to speak to his older brother. Jacob used these words to show that he respected Esau.
\par Verse 6 The writer shows to us that Jacob was afraid. Esau had brought 400 men, without *cattle and children. That was an army that Jacob might easily be afraid of! Jacob had servants and some of his sons were young men. But Jacob\rquote
s group were much too small and too weak to fight Esau\rquote s men.
\par Verses 7-8 Jacob separated his family, servants and animals into two groups. If Esau attacked one group, the other group would run away.
\par Verse 9 Jacob prayed and he prepared. God expects us to do both. God has done go
od things in the past for us. It is good to say such things when we pray. It helps us to remember what God has done. And it shows to God that we are grateful. We are grateful for what he has done for us.
\par Verse 10 When Jacob left home, he had only his stick. But when he came back, he had a family. He had many servants and animals also.
\par Verses 11-12 Jacob said the right things in his prayer. But he was not yet ready to trust God. Jacob was still trying to use clever schemes to protect himself. He knew that Go
d had promised to look after him. But Jacob thought that he would have to save himself by his own schemes.
\par Verse 13 Jacob made ready a very large present for Esau.
\par Verses 14-21 Jacob\rquote s scheme was to send several separate gifts to Esau. Jacob thought that E
sau would perhaps still be angry after the first gift. But Esau would be less angry after the second gift. In the end, Esau would receive many such gifts, even before he met Jacob.
\par Verses 22-24 The writer does not tell us why Jacob stayed behind alone. Perhaps Jacob realised that he needed to pray more. Jacob did not want anyone to disturb him as he prayed. He needed to spend time alone with God.
\par We do not know why God\rquote s man fought with Jacob. (The man was probably an *angel.) But we do know why Jacob continued to struggle with the man. Jacob wanted to receive God\rquote
s *blessing (verse 26). It would have been difficult to fight in the dark.
\par Verse 25 The man was much stronger than Jacob was. The man hurt Jacob badly when he merely touched Jacob. Afterwards, Jacob could not walk well (verse 31).
\par Verse 26 Jacob did not want to fight for nothing. He wanted God\rquote s *blessing. Jacob always believed that God\rquote s *blessing was very important. Jacob would do anything to get God\rquote s *blessing.
\par Verse 27 Israel means \lquote God struggles\rquote . Or it means \lquote he who struggles with God\rquote . Jacob had to struggle that night as he prayed. But Jacob overcame.
\par So, Jacob\rquote s name changed to Israel, although we still call him Jacob. And Jacob\rquote s character also changed. Jacob did not continue to use schemes. Instead, he learnt to trust God more.
\par Verse 30 Peniel means \lquote God\rquote s face\rquote . In verse 31, the *Hebrew text has \lquote Penuel\rquote . It is another way to say the same name.
\par God is very holy. At that time, if people saw God, they did not usually stay alive. The verse might also mean this: Jacob knew that God was keeping him alive. That was because God had *blessed him.
\par Verse 31 God sometimes makes us weak in some way. That makes us trust him for his strength. (In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul wrote, \lquote The *Lord said to me, \'93My
grace (kindness) is enough for you. When you are weak, then my power becomes perfect in you.\'94 So I am very happy to talk proudly about my weaknesses. Then Christ\rquote s power can live in me.\rquote
Look also at the verse after that, 2 Corinthians 12:10.)
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 33
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob meets Esau
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob looked up. He saw that Esau was coming. Esau had 400 men with him. So Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel and the two maids. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob put the maids in front with their children. Then Leah and her children were next. Then Rachel and Joseph came last. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob went in front of them all. He *bowed 7 times to the ground as he came near to his brother.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Esau ran to meet Jacob and he hugged Jacob. He hugged Jacob closely and he kissed him. And they both wept. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau looked up and he saw the women and children. Then he said, \lquote Who are these people with you?\rquote
\par Jacob replied, \lquote These are the children that God has kindly given to me, your servant.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the maids and their children came near. They *bowed down. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Also Leah and her children came near and they *bowed down. Finally, Joseph and Rachel came near and they *bowed down.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau said, \lquote Why have you sent all this crowd of animals which I met?\rquote
\par Jacob answered, \lquote I wanted you to be kind to me, my *lord.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Esau replied, \lquote I have plenty, my brother. Keep for yourself what you have.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob replied, \lquote
No, I ask you to do this. If you are not angry with me, please take my present. I give it to you. I would be very happy to see God\rquote s face. And I am equally happy to have seen you. You have received me in such a kind way. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Please take my gift. I have brought it for you. God has been kind to me. I have plenty.\rquote So Jacob persuaded Esau. And Esau took the gift.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Esau said, \lquote Let us travel from here together. I will go in front of you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Jacob said to him, \lquote
You, my *lord, know this: The children are weak. And I worry about the animals. They are feeding their young animals. If I make them go too far in one day, then all the *flocks will die. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Please, my *lord, go ahead in front of me, your servant. I will follow slowly, because of the *cattle and children. I will follow slowly until I meet you, my *lord, in Seir.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Esau said, \lquote Let me leave some of the men that are with me. I will leave them so that they will be with you.\rquote
\par Jacob replied, \lquote There is no need for that. Please do not worry about me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Esau turned back to Seir on that day. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
But Jacob went to Succoth. He built a house there and he made sheds there for his *cattle. Therefore the place is called Succoth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Jacob came safely to the city called Shechem. That city is in the country called Canaan. It is on the way back from Paddan-Aram. Jacob camped in front of the city. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He bought a piece of land where he had put up his tent. He paid 100 pieces of money for the land. He paid them to Hamor\rquote s sons. Hamor was Shechem\rquote s father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob built an *altar there on that land. He called the *altar El-Elohe-Israel.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 At last, it was time to meet Esau. Jacob had been very afraid about this meeting. Jacob\rquote
s body was weaker because of his experience when he struggled with the *angel. But Jacob probably felt stronger, because he now had God\rquote s *blessing. Jacob led his family as they approached Esau.
\par But Esau was not angry. In fact, he was kind to Jacob. Esau did not even want to accept Jacob\rquote s gifts. But Jacob insisted that Esau should accept them.
\par Jacob stayed in Canaan. He bought some land near a city called Shechem. He prayed there. And nobody opposed him. But there would soon be more troubles.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Jacob had a lot of time to wait for Esau. Jacob had time to arrange his people and animals in order. He had fought all night with the \lquote man\rquote (God\rquote
s man). Jacob was afraid to meet Esau. So, Jacob needed the strength that God gave to him.
\par Esau still had 400 men with him. Jacob himself had an injury. He did not have 400 men. The men that he had were not able to fight. They had to take care of the animals. And they were probably tired after the long journey.
\par Verse 2 It was the custom to arr
ange sons in the order of their age (Genesis 43:33). This would usually be the same order as their importance in the family (1 Samuel 16:6-11). But Jacob arranged his sons in the order of the importance of their mothers. Jacob probably did not realise tha
t he had given the most important place to Joseph. Joseph was Jacob\rquote s youngest son at this time. But Joseph was the son of Jacob\rquote s favourite wife.
\par Verse 3 Jacob showed that he had come in peace. He wanted to be friends with Esau. And he was careful to show it. He was willing to be humble. He did not want to get things from other people. He was content, because God was *blessing him.
\par Verses 4-11 Esau was not still angry. He, too, was content. He did not even want to take Jacob\rquote s gifts. They were both happy to be together.
\par Verses 12-17 Jacob wanted to go to the country that God had promised. So he did not want to go to Seir, where Esau lived. We do not know why Jacob built a house at Succoth. \lquote Succoth\rquote means \lquote shelters\rquote
. That is, simple shelters. The people and animals probably needed a rest after the long journey. Maybe they did not stay there for a long time. However, we do not know how long they actually stayed there.
\par Verses 18-19 Jacob wanted to have a calm life. These verses are like Genesis 21:33-34 and Gen
esis 26:25. Both Abraham and Isaac found quiet places where they could live. These places were calm and Abraham and Isaac were able to pray there. Jacob hoped that he had arrived at such a place.
\par Verse 20 \lquote El-Elohe-Israel\rquote means \lquote God is Israel\rquote s (Jacob\rquote s) God\rquote
. Jacob remembered that he (Jacob) had promised this (Genesis 28:21). He had promised that God would be his God. And now, God had brought him safely back to Canaan.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 34
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Dinah
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Now Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Dinah went out to visit the women in that country. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shechem was Hamor\rquote
s son. Hamor was a *Hivite and he was the prince of that country. Shechem saw Dinah. He seized her and he had sex with her. He *raped her. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Shechem thought that Jacob\rquote s daughter Dinah was very attractive. Shechem loved her very much. He spoke to her in a kind way. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Shechem spoke to his father Hamor. Shechem said, \lquote Get this girl for me to be my wife.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shechem had *raped Jacob\rquote s daughter, Dinah. Jacob heard that news. Jacob\rquote
s sons were taking care of the *cattle in the field. Jacob said nothing until they came back.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hamor, Shechem\rquote s father, went out to speak to Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s sons heard about what had happened. They came in from the field. Those men were very sad and angry. Shechem had done something that nobody should ever do in Israel. He had had sex with Jacob\rquote s daughter.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Hamor spoke to Jacob\rquote s sons. He said, \lquote My son Shechem loves your daughter very much. Please give her to him to be his wife. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let people from our nations marry each other. Give your daughters to us. Take our daughters for yourselves. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Stay with us. Our country is open to you. Live in it and trade in it. Buy land in it.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shechem, too, spoke to Dinah\rquote s father and brothers. \lquote I want to please you. I will give to you whatever you ask. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will give to you whatever price you want me to pay for the bride. And I will give to you whatever present you want. I will give them to y
ou, even if it is a lot of money. Please give the girl to me to be my wife.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s sons answered Shechem and Hamor, Shechem\rquote
s father. The sons lied to them. The sons were angry because Shechem had *raped their sister Dinah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s sons said to Hamor and Shechem,
\lquote We cannot do this. We cannot give our sister as a bride to Shechem. If we did that, people would not respect us any longer. They would not respect us because Shechem has not received *circumcision. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We can agree to do what you ask. But we will agree only if you do this. All your men must receive *circumcision as we have done. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then we will let you marry our daughters. And we will marry your daughters. Then we will live among you. We will become one nation with you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But perhaps you will not listen to us. Perhaps you will refuse to receive *circumcision. Then we will take our daughter and we will go away.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hamor and his son Shechem were pleased to hear that. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 The young man Shechem did not wait. He *circumcised himself, because he was so happy with Jacob\rquote s daughter. Shechem was the noblest man in his family. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Hamor and his son Shechem came to their city\rquote s gate. They spoke to the men that lived in their city. Hamor and Shechem said this: }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote These men are friendly to us.
Let them stay in our country and let them trade in it. Let them stay because the country is big enough for them to be there. Let us marry their daughters. And let them marry our daughters. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They will agree to live among us. They will become one nation with us. But they will do it only if we do this one thing. All our men must receive *circumcision as they have received *circumcision. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Their *cattle, their animals and everything that they own will be ours. They will stay among us if we agree with them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Everyone that went out of the city\rquote
s gate listened to Hamor and his son Shechem. Every man received *circumcision. All those men that went out of the city gate received *circumcision.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the third day, all those men were very sore. Two of Jacob\rquote s sons, Simeon and Levi, who were Dinah\rquote
s brothers, eagerly took their swords. They attacked the city, where the people felt safe. They killed all the men. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Simeon and Levi used swords to kill Hamor and his son Shechem. Then they took Dinah out of Shechem\rquote s house and they went away. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote
s sons stole things from the dead bodies. They stole things from the city. They did that because Shechem had *raped their sister. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The brothers took the *flocks and *herds and *donkeys. They took everything that was in the city. And they took everything that was in the field. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They took everything that was valuable. They took the wives and children and they took everything from the houses. They took everyone as prisoners.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, \lquote
You have caused trouble for me. The nations in this country, both the *Canaanites and the *Perizzites, will hate me. I do not have a big army. Perhaps they will unite to fight against me. Perhaps they will attack me. Then they will kill me and my *househ
old.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Levi and Simeon just replied, \lquote He should not have sex with our sister as he would do with a *prostitute.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob served the real God (Genesis 34:20). But Jacob\rquote s family did not. They used *idols, which were images of false gods (Genesis 35:2). And they were not behaving in the same manner as people who serve the real God.
\par This became a very serious matter when a man called Shechem *raped Dinah. Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Simeon and Levi were brothers of Dinah. They became very angry when they heard about Shechem.
\par They made a cruel plot. They pretended that Shechem could marry Dinah. But first, Shechem would have to accept *circumcision. And they wanted every male in Shechem\rquote s town to accept *circumcision. Shechem\rquote s town was called
Shechem too (Genesis 12:6). The men agreed. But while the men were still hurting, Simeon and Levi attacked them. Simeon and Levi killed every man in the town, including Shechem.
\par Jacob was very unhappy about the behaviour of Simeon and Levi. They had acted in the same manner as very wicked people behave. Shechem deserved punishment. But the actions of Simeon and Levi were much too cruel. And now, Jacob\rquote
s whole family was in danger.
\par Before he died, Jacob *blessed his sons. But he did not *bless Simeon or Levi. Instead, he said that their anger was terrible. So, God would scatter their *descendants across the country called Israel (Genesis 49:5-7).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 We do not know whether Dinah had sisters. People often made lists that showed members
in a family. (See Genesis 29:31-35; 30:1-24). But such a list did not include girls, unless there was a special reason for that. Maybe Dinah should not have gone out to visit those people. Maybe that was dangerous.
\par Verse 2 At that time, people considered that sex between unmarried people was very seriously wrong. God says that this is wrong. There are laws about this in Deuteronomy 22:23-29.
\par Verses 3-4 Shechem very much wanted to marry Dinah. We do not know whether Dinah wanted to marry Shechem.
\par Verse 5 Th
e report about Dinah probably upset Jacob greatly. But Jacob did not say anything. Perhaps he was too sad to speak about the matter. Perhaps he did not want to make any decisions while his sons were away. Perhaps he was being careful not to speak too quic
kly, in case his reaction was angry. So, Jacob waited.
\par Verse 7 In *Hebrew, the writer says that Shechem had \lquote done a foolish thing in Israel\rquote . The word \lquote foolish\rquote can mean \lquote evil\rquote . \lquote In Israel\rquote may mean \lquote in Israel\rquote s family\rquote
. That is Jacob\rquote s family, because Jacob was also called Israel. It may also mean that the writer was referring to the future nation called Israel. The nation called Israel would come from Jacob\rquote s (Israel\rquote s) family.
\par Verses 8-19 Hamor and Shechem were very polite. And Jacob and his sons were also very polite. However, Jacob\rquote s sons were telling lies about what they would do. And Shechem had not given Dinah back.
\par Verses 8-9 God would give very clear rules about marriages between *Israelites and other nations. Jacob and his family did not know these rules yet. But both Abraham and Isaac thought that their children should not marry anyone from Canaan.
\par Verse 10 To \lquote trade\rquote may mean to \lquote move about\rquote . Merchants (traders) were people that moved about.
\par Verse 13 The brothers were angry because Shechem had *raped their sister. It seems that he was still living with her.
\par Verses 14-17 Jacob\rquote s sons were not respecting God. They were using *circumcision for their own advantage. They were not using it to show a *covenant with God. Jacob\rquote s sons wanted only to make th
e men in Shechem weak. The sons wanted to defeat and to kill those men.
\par Verse 20 People usually discussed all the important things at the city\rquote s gate.
\par Verses 21-23 Hamor and Shechem were clever. They told the men in their city that the *Israelites\rquote
wealth would come to the city. Actually, Hamor had invited the *Israelites to have land in the city. But Hamor and Shechem did not tell that to the men in the city. The reason for all that was so that Shechem could marry Dinah, the *Israelite woman. But
Hamor and Shechem did not say the reason. The writer writes about \lquote men that went out of the gate\rquote . It probably means healthy, skilful men that could fight. Such men could also work in the fields.
\par Verse 25 Simeon and Levi punished the men in Shechem too severely. The brothers were very cruel.
\par Verse 26 Simeon and Levi took Dinah away. In the meantime, Dinah had been with Shechem all the time. That was another reason why her brothers were so angry. Simeon and Levi may have had other men with them. But in a surp
rise attack, it was sometimes better to have only a few men.
\par Verses 27-29 After Simeon and Levi killed the men, Jacob\rquote s sons took everything away from the city. They took all the possessions that had belonged to the dead men. And they kept these things for
themselves. They also took the women and children to be their slaves. So, Jacob\rquote s sons became wealthy. But they became wealthy because of Simeon and Levi\rquote s cruelty.
\par Verses 30-31 The behaviour of Jacob\rquote s sons upset Jacob greatly. He realised that other people would oppose him because of his sons\rquote actions. Now, his sons had become wealthy and powerful. And Jacob had learned that he could not control them.
\par God had promised to make Jacob\rquote s *descendants into a great nation. But Jacob did not want that nation to be a wicked nation. So, Jacob needed to teach his sons about God (Genesis 35:1-15).
\par Nobody in the story was innocent. Dinah went out to visit those people. That was a dangerous thing to do. Hamor and Shechem did something wrong to her. And they were not honest with Jacob\rquote
s family about it. Hamor and Shechem were not honest with their own people either. Jacob probably should have done more about Dinah\rquote s situation. But he was perhaps more worried about his own safety among his neighbours.
\par But the behaviour of Simeon and Levi was terrible. The brothers punished the men in Shechem too severely. They were cruel. It is clear that people in Jacob\rquote s family were bitter and angry. And they were behaving like people who did not know God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 35
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob goes home and Isaac dies
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said to Jacob, \lquote
Get up. Go to Bethel and live there. When you ran away from your brother Esau, you saw God. Now make an *altar there for God\rquote s honour.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Jacob said this to his *household and to everyone with him: \lquote Throw away the for
eign gods that you have. Wash yourselves and change your clothes. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let us get up. We will go up to Bethel. There I will make an *altar for God\rquote
s honour. God listened to me when I was in trouble. He has been with me wherever I have gone.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So they gave
to Jacob all the foreign gods that they had. They also gave their ear-rings to him. Jacob hid the ear-rings under the *oak tree near Shechem. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Jacob set out on his journey with all those people. God made the people in the cities along the way very afraid. So they did not chase Jacob and his sons.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob came to Luz. (That is, Bethel.) It is in the country called Canaan. He came with all the people that were with him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob built an *altar there. Jacob had seen God there when he ran away from his brother. So he called the place El-Bethel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Deborah, Rebekah\rquote s nurse, died. People buried her below Bethel under an *oak tree. They called the place Allon-Bacuth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Jacob had come back from Paddan-Aram, God appeared in front of him again. God *blessed him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And God said to him, \lquote Your name is Jacob. But it will not be Jacob any longer. Your name will be Israel.\rquote So Jacob\rquote s name became Israel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God also said, \lquote I am God *Almighty. Have a large family. Have many *descendants. A nation will come
from you. And a group of nations will come from you. Kings will be in your family. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I promised a country to Abraham and Isaac. I will give that same country to you. And I will give it to your *descendants after you.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then God went up from Jacob. God left the place where he had spoken to Jacob.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob put up a column of stone where God had spoken to him. Jacob poured out an *offering to God on it. He poured oil on it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob called that place Bethel, because God had spoken to him there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob and those with him left Bethel. They were still not near Ephrath. Rachel had bad pains because she would soon have a baby. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She was suffering in her pain. The nurse who was helping at the birth spoke to her. She said, \lquote Do not be afraid. Now you will have another son.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Rachel did not stay alive. As she was dying, she called her son Benoni. But his father called him Benjamin.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Rachel died. And Jacob buried her on the way to Ephrath. (That is, Bethlehem.) }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob put up a column on her grave. That column on Rachel\rquote s grave was still there when the writer wrote this down.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel continued his journey. He put up his tent beyond the *tower called Eder. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel lived there for a while. Reuben went in to Bilhah. Bilhah was a slave, but she was also his father\rquote s wife. Reuben had sex with her. And Israel heard about it.
\par Jacob had 12 sons.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sons of Leah were Reuben, (Jacob\rquote s oldest son), Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar and Zebulun. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sons of Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sons of Bilhah, Rachel\rquote
s maid, were Dan and Naphtali. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sons of Zilpah, Leah\rquote s maid, were Gad and Asher. Those were Jacob\rquote
s sons. They were born for him in Paddan-Aram.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob came to his father Isaac at Mamre. (It is also called Kiriath-Arba or Hebron.) That is where Abraham and Isaac had lived. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now Isaac was 180 years old. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Isaac breathed his last breath. He died and he went to be with his people. He was very old. Isaac\rquote s sons Esau and Jacob buried him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob did not feel safe now near the town called Shechem. His sons, Simeon and Levi, had been angry, so they killed many men there. And Jacob was afraid that the relatives of those men might attack his family. God told Jacob to take his family to Bethel.
\par It seems that Jacob was pleased to take his family to Bethel. God first spoke to Jacob at Bethel. Jacob could teach his family about God during the journey. He explained to them how he met the real God. He told them that they should not keep their *
idols (images of false gods). And he told his family that they were going to a holy place. So, they had to prepare themselves.
\par At Bethel, God repeated his promises to Jacob. And Jacob rebuilt the *altar that he made there.
\par Soon afterwards, Jacob\rquote s last son, called Benjamin, was born. But Benjamin\rquote s mother, Rachel, died at the birth.
\par A terrible event happened afterwards. It was the custom in Canaan that the oldest son should have sex with his father\rquote s wives. Then, tha
t son would become the leader of the family. (See 2 Samuel 16:21-22.) Jacob knew that this action was very wicked. And he hoped that his own sons had learned about God. But Jacob could not control his sons. They were adults now. So, they were responsible
for their own behaviour.
\par Reuben, who was Jacob\rquote s first son, had sex with Bilhah. Bilhah was Jacob\rquote s *concubine. She had been Rachel\rquote s maid. Jacob heard about Reuben\rquote
s behaviour. So, Jacob decided that Reuben must not receive the *birthright. And Reuben did not receive a *blessing from Jacob (Genesis 49:3-4).
\par Simeon and Levi were the oldest sons after Reuben. But Jacob would not give them the *birthright because of their cruelty. So instead, Jacob chose Joseph (Genesis 37:3; 1 Chronicles 5:1-2).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 God was gently reminding Jacob that he (God) had been *faithful. He had taken care of Jacob. Now Jacob needed to *worship God at Bethel. Jacob had promised to do that.
\par Verses 2-4 People in Jacob\rquote s *household still had *idols. That seems stra
nge. However, they threw the *idols away when Jacob asked them to. They also threw away ear-rings. We think that the ear-rings had some connection with *idols. So those that wore the ear-rings served the *idols. The ear-rings were evidence of that. It is
a
lso strange that Jacob buried those things under a tree. He did not destroy them. Usually, before people *worshipped God in a special way, they washed themselves. They put on clean clothes. They did those things to respect God. It made the people remember
that God is perfect. So, they must prepare themselves to *worship him.
\par Verse 5 Jacob\rquote s sons had done an evil thing to the men in Shechem (chapter 34). So Jacob was afraid of the people that lived near.
\par Verse 7 El-Bethel means \lquote God of Bethel\rquote . That is, God who appeared at Bethel. Bethel means \lquote the house of God\rquote . Bethel was the place where Jacob decided to serve God (Genesis 28:19-22).
\par Verse 8 Deborah was very old. The writer speaks about her death. They buried her \lquote below Bethel\rquote . Some people think that it means \lquote near Bethel\rquote
. Or perhaps they buried her at the actual spot where God first appeared to Jacob (Genesis 28:11-19).
\par The wives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob all had maids (also called nurses). And all these maids became *concubines, except for Deborah. Deborah was a loyal servant. And it seems that the whole family loved her.
\par Verse 9 Perhaps the writer was saying again what had happened earlier. (Look at verse 1.) When something was repeated in the Bible, it was very important.
\par Verses 10-13 God repeated his promises to Jacob. Jacob\rquote s *descendants would become a great nation. And God would give to them the country called Canaan.
\par Verses 14-15 This was the way that they *worshipped God. It made the column special for them.
\par This was the same place where God spok
e to Jacob during a dream. (See Genesis 28:10-22.) At that time, Jacob put up a stone column. But it was now 20 years later. At last, Jacob was able to return to that place. Perhaps his column had fallen down and Jacob rebuilt it.
\par Verses 16-18 Rachel had the second son that she wanted (Genesis 30:24). But she did not stay alive after the birth. Benoni means \lquote son of my sorrow\rquote . (That means \lquote the son that I got when I was sad\rquote . \lquote Sorrow\rquote
means sad feelings.)
\par Benjamin means \lquote son of my right hand\rquote . A man would place his right hand on his oldest son when he *blessed that son. (See Genesis 48:13-19.) So, people associated the right hand with the *blessing. So, the name \lquote Benjamin\rquote
meant that God would *bless him.
\par Verses 19-20 Bethlehem became a very important town. King David came from Bethlehem, so Bethlehem became a royal town. And Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
\par Verse 22 What Reuben did was very serious. Such actions in a family were very bad. Reuben was probably trying to become the head of the family instead of Jaco
b. Reuben wanted to show his authority. Jacob heard. And he decided that Joseph would receive the *birthright instead of Reuben.
\par Verses 23-26 Nearly all Jacob\rquote s sons were born in Paddan-Aram. Benjamin was not born there. But the writer added Benjamin\rquote s name (in verse 24) so that this list of Jacob\rquote s sons was complete.
\par Verses 27-29 Jacob and Esau met together again. They buried their father Isaac together.
\par Isaac lived much longer than anyone had expected. Isaac was a man with a calm attitude. He did not like arguments. He would have been pleased that Jacob and Esau met together for his funeral. Their arguments had ended. And they were friendly again.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 36
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau\rquote s *descendants
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are Esau\rquote s (Edom\rquote
s) *descendants.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Esau married *Canaanite wives. He
married Adah, the daughter of Elon the *Hittite. And Esau also married Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. Anah was the son of Zibeon the *Hivite. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Also, Esau married Basemath, Ishmael\rquote s daughter. She was Nebaioth\rquote s sister.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Adah had a baby called Eliphaz for Esau. Basemath had a baby called Reuel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Oholibamah had babies called Jeush, Jalam and Korah. Those are Esau\rquote s sons. They were born for him in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Esau went away. He took his wives, his sons and his daughters. And he
took everyone in his *household. He also took his *cattle and all his animals. He took everything that he had got in the country called Canaan. Esau went into a country that was away from his brother Jacob. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They could not live near each other, because
they both had so much wealth. Esau and Jacob had many *cattle. Where they were living before, there was not enough land for them both. It was not enough to feed all their *cattle. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Esau lived in the hilly region called Seir. People also call Esau \lquote Edom\rquote .
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are Esau\rquote s *descendants. Esau was the father of the *Edomites. They live in the hilly region called Seir.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are the names of Esau\rquote s sons. Eliphaz was the son of Esau\rquote s wife Adah. Reuel was the son of Esau\rquote s wife Basemath.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Eliphaz\rquote s sons were Teman, Omar, Zepho, Gatam and Kenaz.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Timna was a *concubine of Esau\rquote s son Eliphaz. She had a baby called Amalek for Eliphaz.) Those were the grandsons of Esau\rquote s wife Adah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuel\rquote s sons were Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. Those were the grandsons of Esau\rquote s wife Basemath.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the sons of Esau\rquote s wife Oholibamah. She was the daughter of Anah, who was Zibeon\rquote
s son. Oholibamah had babies called Jeush, Jalam and Korah for Esau.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the chief men among Esau\rquote s sons. The sons of Eliphaz, Esau\rquote
s oldest son, included the chief men Teman, Omar, Zepho and Kenaz. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The other sons of Eliphaz were the chief men Korah, Gatam and Amalek. They were chief men in the country called Edom. And they were Adah\rquote s grandsons.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the sons of Reuel, Esau\rquote
s son. They were the chief men Nahath, Zerah, Shammah and Mizzah. They were chief men in the country called Edom. They were Reuel\rquote s sons. And they were the grandsons of Esau\rquote s wife Basemath.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The chief men Jeush, Jalam and Korah were the sons of Esau\rquote s wife Oholibamah. She was Anah\rquote s daughter.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All those were Esau\rquote s (Edom\rquote s) sons. Those men were chief men.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the sons of Seir, the *Horite. They lived in that country. They included Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon and Anah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The other sons of Seir were Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. Those men were *Horite chief men. They were Seir\rquote s sons in the country called Edom.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Lotan\rquote s sons were Hori and Heman. Lotan had a sister, Timna.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Shobal\rquote s sons. They were Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho and Onam.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Zibeon\rquote
s sons. They were Aiah and Anah. This man Anah used to feed the *donkeys of his father Zibeon in the desert. There, one day, he found wells where hot water came up.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Anah\rquote s children. They were his son Dishon and his daughter Oholibamah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Dishon\rquote s sons. They were Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran and Cheran.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Ezer\rquote s sons. They were Bilhan, Zaavan and Akan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were Dishan\rquote s sons. They were Uz and Aran.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Those men were the *Horite chief men. They were Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon and Anah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There were also Dishon, Ezer and Dishan. Those were the chief men among the *Horites. They were the chief men in their *tribes in the region called Seir.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the kings that ruled in the country called Edom. They ruled there before any king ruled over the *Israelites.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Bela, Beor\rquote s son, was the king in Edom. Bela\rquote s city was called Dinhabah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Bela died. After him, Zerah\rquote s son Jobab ruled. Jobab was from Bozrah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jobab died. After him, Husham ruled. Husham was from the region where Teman\rquote s *descendants lived.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Husham died. After him, Bedad\rquote s son Hadad ruled. Hadad\rquote
s city was called Avith. Hadad defeated the army from Midian in the country called Moab.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hadad died. After him, Samlah from Masrekah ruled.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Samlah died. After him, Shaul ruled. Shaul was from Rehoboth by the Euphrates River.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Shaul died. After him, Achbor\rquote s son Baal-Hanan ruled.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Baal-Hanan, Achbor\rquote s son, died. After Baal-Hanan, Hadar ruled. Hadar\rquote s city was called Pau. Hadar\rquote
s wife was Mehetabel. She was the daughter of Matred, who was Mezahab\rquote s daughter.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These were the chief men that were Esau\rquote s *descendants. Each *descendant\rquote
s name also refers to his family. The name also refers to the place where the family lived. The chief men included Timna, Alvah, Jetheth. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They also included Oholibamah, Elah and Pinon. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There were also Kenaz, Teman and Mibzar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v43}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The other chief men were Magdiel and Iram. They all were chief men in Edom. Each name
also refers to the area where the chief man lived. Each chief man owned the area where he lived. Those were *descendants of Esau, who was the father of the *Edomites.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 People try to discover what the names of Esau\rquote
s *descendants meant. People try to link the names with nations that people knew in that area later. But that is not very helpful. God always does the things that he promises to do. In this chapter, the writer reminds us about this principle. Esau was not
the son that God had chosen. But God had made a promise about Esau (Genesis 25:23). So, God gave many *descendants to Esau. Later, King David defeated the *Edomites and he ruled over them. So they did serve Jacob\rquote s *descendants.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 2-8 Esau\rquote s first two wives did not come from Abraham\rquote s family. The writer reminds us about that. God had especially chosen Abraham\rquote
s family. So God did not want them to marry *Canaanite wives. But Esau did not care about that. It is very difficult to compare the lists that contain Esau\rquote s wives. From chapters 26 and 28, we can make one list of Esau\rquote
s wives. There is Judith, the daughter of Beeri the *Hittite. There is Basemath, the daughter of Elon the *Hittite. And there is Mahalath, the daughter of Ishmael. Then here in verses 2 and 3, we have another list of Esau\rquote
s wives. Both lists have the name Basemath, but in each list she has a different father. And there are two fathers that have a different daughter in each list. Maybe the wives had more than one name. Maybe Esau had more than three wives. We do not know.
\par Verse 7 God led Esau away from Jacob\rquote s family. He did not want Esau and Jacob to marry members of each other\rquote s family. We do not know when Esau went to live in Seir. (In Genesis 32:3, we see that Es
au was already living in Seir then.) God was *blessing both brothers with large *flocks. He had promised to do that.
\par Verses 9-40 The list of Esau\rquote s *descendants continues. Their nation became large and successful. They appointed kings before Jacob\rquote s *descendants did (verse 31). But God\rquote s ideas about success are different from people\rquote
s ideas. In God\rquote s opinion, a nation is not really successful just because it becomes large and powerful. And a nation does not become really successful just because it appoints
important kings. The only really successful nations are those whose rulers and people serve God.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 37
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph and his brothers
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob lived in the country called Canaan. His father had lived there too.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This is the story about the things that happened to Jacob\rquote s family.
\par Joseph was 17 years old. He was looking after the *flock with his brothers. He was helping the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father\rquote s wives. Joseph told a bad report about them to his father.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Israel had many children. But Joseph had been born when Jacob was an old man. So Jacob loved Joseph more than he loved his other children. Jacob gave to Joseph a special long coat with sleeves. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved all Joseph\rquote s brothers. They hated Joseph. They were angry whenever they spoke to him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph had a dream. His brothers hated him much more when they heard it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to them, \lquote Listen to the dream that I have dreamed. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Look!
We were binding bundles of corn in a field. Then my bundle got up and it stood up. Your bundles of corn came together round my bundle of corn. They *bowed down to my bundle.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers said to him, \lquote You will not rule over us. You will not be the master over us.\rquote
So they hated him much more because he had had that dream. And they hated him because he had told them about it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph dreamed again. He told his brothers what he had dreamed. He said, \lquote Listen. I have dreamed again. This time the
sun, the moon and 11 stars were *bowing down to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph told that dream to his father and brothers. His father was angry with him. His father said, \lquote
This is a bad dream that you have had. Do not think that I, your mother and your brothers will *bow down to the ground in front of you.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph
\rquote s brothers were jealous because of him. However, his father remembered what Joseph had said.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 One day, Joseph\rquote s brothers went to their father\rquote s *flock near Shechem. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel said to Joseph, \lquote Your brothers are feeding the *flock at Shechem. Come. I will send you to them.\rquote
\par So Joseph replied, \lquote Here I am.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So then Israel said to Joseph, \lquote Go now. Look to see if your brothers and the *flock are well. Come back and tell me.\rquote
So Israel sent Joseph from the valley called Hebron. Joseph went to Shechem.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 A man found Joseph while Joseph was wandering in the fields. The man asked, \lquote What are you looking for?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph replied, \lquote I am looking for my brothers. Please tell me where they are feeding the *flock.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The man said, \lquote They have gone away. I heard them say that they were going to Dothan.\rquote
\par So Joseph went to find his brothers. He found them at Dothan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The brothers saw Joseph a long way off. They planned that they would kill him when he came.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers said to each other, \lquote Here comes this dreamer (Joseph). He is a master in that. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Come now. We will kill him. Here are some pits (large holes in the ground). We will throw Joseph into one. Then we shall say that a wild animal ate him. His dreams
will not help him then!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuben heard that. The other brothers wanted to kill Joseph. But Reuben stopped them. He said, \lquote Do not kill him.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuben then said, \lquote Do not hurt him. Throw him into this pit (large hole) here in the desert. Do not hurt him.\rquote
Reuben planned to rescue Joseph. And then he would take Joseph back to his father.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So, when Joseph came to his brothers, they took off his special coat. He was wearing the long coat with sleeves. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers seized Joseph. They threw him into a pit (large hole). The pit was empty. There was no water in it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then they sat down to eat. They looked up and they saw a group of *Ishmaelites. The *Ishmaelites were coming from Gilead with their camels. They had loaded their camels with gum, *balm and
*myrrh. The camels were going to carry those things down to Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Judah said this to his brothers. \lquote
We could kill our brother and we could cover up his blood. But we will not get any reward if we do that. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We will sell our brother to the *Ishm
aelites. We will not hurt him. He is our own brother. He is a member in our family.\rquote Judah\rquote s brothers listened to him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then those *Midianite traders went by. The brothers pulled Joseph up. They took him out of the big hole. They sold him to the *Ishmae
lites. The price was 20 *shekels of silver. Those traders took Joseph to Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuben went back to the big hole. He saw that Joseph was not there. He was very upset. And he tore his clothes. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He went to his brothers. And he said, \lquote The boy has gone. I am in trouble.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then they took Joseph\rquote s coat. They killed a goat. They held the coat while they lowered it into the goat\rquote
s blood. And then they lifted it out again. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers sent the long coat with sleeves to their father. When they came home, they said, \lquote
We have found this. Look to see whether it is your son\rquote s coat.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob knew that it was Joseph\rquote s coat. He said \lquote It is my son\rquote
s coat. A wild animal has eaten him. It is certain that an animal has torn Joseph to pieces.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob tore his clothes. He put rough cloth on his body. For a long time, he showed how sad he was about his son. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All Jacob\rquote s sons and daughters came to comfort him. But Jacob refused to receive comfort. He said, \lquote No, I shall go down to the place
where dead people are. But I shall still be sad about my dead son then.\rquote So Joseph\rquote s father wept for him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Meanwhile Joseph was in Egypt. The *Midianites had sold him to Potiphar. Potiphar was the captain of the guard. He was an officer of *Pharaoh.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The account of Joseph\rquote s life begins in this chapter.
\par Reuben was Jacob\rquote s oldest son. So, Reuben had the *birthright. But Reuben had carried out a wicked deed against Jacob (Genesis 35:22). So, Jacob decided that Reuben should not receive the *birthright. Sime
on and Levi were the oldest sons after Reuben. But they too had upset Jacob (chapter 34). So, Jacob chose Joseph to receive the *birthright. Jacob\rquote
s other sons were angry. Except for Benjamin, who was still very young, they were all older than Joseph.
\par Jacob made a special coat for Joseph. This probably showed that Joseph had the *birthright. And Joseph had special dreams. These dreams were *prophecies. They showed that Joseph would become the leader of the family. But Joseph\rquote
s brothers hated the dreams. In fact, they hated Joseph.
\par Joseph\rquote s brothers were working away from home. They were looking after Jacob\rquote s animals. Jacob sent Joseph to them. Jacob wanted to know what was happening. This was an opportunity for the brothers to attack Joseph. Their first plan
was to kill Joseph. But Reuben had a secret plan to save Joseph. Perhaps Reuben wanted to please Jacob. Then perhaps Jacob might change his mind about Reuben\rquote
s *birthright. But when Reuben was away, Judah made another plan. Judah and the other brothers sold Joseph as a slave. Then they pretended to Jacob that Joseph was dead.
\par Jacob was very sad. Nobody could comfort him. He felt as if his only *righteous son was dead. But Joseph was not dead. In fact, Joseph became a slave in Egypt. God allowed these thing
s to happen because God had a plan to save the lives of many people (Genesis 45:5).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Jacob made his home in the country where his father Isaac had wandered about.
\par Verse 2 Joseph was a helper for his brothers. (Actually, they had the same father, but they had different mothers. So they were only \lquote half-brothers\rquote
.) But Joseph was more important in the family than they were. Joseph was the first son of Jacob\rquote s favourite wife. But these brothers were just the sons of *concubines. When
Joseph returned to Jacob, Joseph told a bad report to his father. People usually think that the brothers were not looking after the animals well. But the Bible does not say what the bad report was about.
\par Verses 3-4 Israel (Jacob) upset his family. He gave more to Joseph than he (Israel) gave to Joseph\rquote
s brothers. The coat was very special. It was not a coat that Joseph would work in. It made his brothers angry just to see Joseph wear it. They had to work hard, while Joseph wore a special coat. And he did no
t seem to work like them. Joseph was special. He was Rachel\rquote s first son. And Rachel was the wife whom Jacob really loved. So, Joseph became Jacob\rquote s favourite son.
\par Verses 5-8 Jacob had decided that the *birthright belonged to Joseph. Joseph\rquote s first dream seemed to show that this decision was right. In the past, God had spoken to Jacob too by means of dreams. But Joseph\rquote
s brothers were unhappy about the dream. Perhaps they did not realise that the dream was from God. So, they hated Joseph even more because of his dream.
\par Verses 9-11 Joseph\rquote s second dream was about the sun, the moon and 11 stars. It seemed as if Joseph\rquote s family really would *bow down to him. Rachel, his mother, was probably already dead. Leah may have looked after him as his \lquote mother
\rquote . The two dreams were rather similar to each other. So Joseph could expect that they would probably become true. The writer does not tell us whether God showed their meaning. Joseph\rquote
s family might think that Joseph did not really have such dreams. But Jacob continued to think about the dreams. Previously, Jacob had dreams that came from God. So, Jacob was not surprised if Joseph had such dreams.
\par Verses 12-13 Shechem was a long way from home. It was also the same place where the brothers had killed many people. It might
have been dangerous for Joseph to go out alone. Jacob did not think that. However, Jacob was anxious about his other sons. And he trusted Joseph. Joseph would tell Jacob the truth about what was happening. Joseph was a loyal son who always obeyed his fat
her. So Joseph went.
\par Verse 14-17 In fact, the brothers were not still at Shechem. Probably there was not enough grass there for all their animals. So, they had to move to another place.
\par Verse 18 Even before Joseph arrived, his brothers were plotting to kill him.
\par Verse 19 The brothers were angry with Joseph because of the dreams. If Joseph\rquote
s dreams had no meaning, there would be no reason for the brothers to be angry. So probably, the brothers were thinking that the dreams might be right. And they were jealous of God\rquote s plan for Joseph. So, they tried to stop God\rquote
s plan. If that was their intention, they were very foolish. God is much more powerful than this. Nobody can successfully oppose God\rquote s plans.
\par Verses 20-21 The brothers intended to leave Joseph without food or water. Then, he would soon die.
\par Verse 22 Reuben was the oldest brother. So he probably considered that Joseph was in his care. If Reuben saved Joseph, perhaps Jacob would respect Reuben again.
\par Verses 23-24 The brothers took away Joseph\rquote s coat. Jacob wanted to show that he (Joseph) had the *birthright. That is probably why he had given the coat to Joseph. So, the brothers were trying to take the *birthright from Joseph.
\par Verses 25-27 It was better for the brothers to sell Joseph. Then they would not murder their brother and so they would not be guilty of that. Also, they would get some money. Joseph would become a slave.
\par Verse 28 The traders included both *Midianites and *Ishmaelites. They were travelling together. The *Midianites were friends of the *Ishmaelites, who were a larger group.
\par Verses 29-30 Reuben was elsewhere when the brothers sold Joseph. So, Reuben did not know that his plan to save Joseph had failed. Perhaps Reuben only realised this when he returned to rescue Joseph. Reuben tore his clo
thes. This action showed that he was very sad. People usually tore their clothes when a relative died.
\par Verses 31-32 The brothers made a plan in order to pretend that Joseph was dead. They put blood from a goat on Joseph\rquote s special coat. They handed the coat
back to Jacob. None of the brothers felt able to take the precious coat for himself. They knew that they did not deserve the *birthright.
\par Verse 33-34 Jacob seemed even more sad about Joseph than he (Jacob) was about Rachel\rquote s death (Genesis 35:16-20).
\par Verse 35 The only daughter of Jacob that the writer has told us about is Dinah. But people did not speak much about their daughters.
\par Verse 36 In *Hebrew, \lquote captain of the guard\rquote means this. It means the \lquote chief man among the killers\rquote . So it might mean the chief man among those who provided meat for *Pharaoh\rquote
s *household. It might mean the leader of the army. Or it might mean the chief man among those that killed murderers as a punishment.
\par *Pharaoh ruled over Egypt. All the kings of Egypt were called *Pharaoh.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 38
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah\rquote s family
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
At that time Judah went down, away from his brothers. He turned aside to stay with a man from Adullam. The man was called Hirah. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There, Judah saw the daughter of Shua, a *Canaanite. Judah married her. He had sex with her. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
She became *pregnant and she had a baby son. Judah called him Er. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She became *pregnant again and she had another baby son. She called him Onan. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She had another baby son in addition to those. She called him Shelah. She was in Chezib when he was born.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah took a wife called Tamar for his oldest son Er. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 But the *Lord saw that Er, Judah\rquote s oldest son, was wicked. And the *Lord killed him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Judah said to Onan, \lquote Go in to your brother\rquote s wife. Have sex with her. Become the father of children for your brother.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Onan knew that the children would not be his. So when he had sex with his brother\rquote
s wife, he spilled the liquid from his sex part. He spilled it onto the ground. He did not want to have children for his brother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Lord was angry about what Onan did. And the *Lord killed him too.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Judah said to his son\rquote s wife Tamar, \lquote Stay in your father\rquote s house. Stay a widow until Shelah, my son, is a man.\rquote
Judah was afraid that Shelah might die, like Shelah\rquote s brothers. So Tamar went to live in her father\rquote s house.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After some time, Judah\rquote s wife, who was Shua\rquote
s daughter, died. Judah was sad. When he was not as sad, he went up to Timnah. He went there with his friend Hirah, the man from Adullam. Judah\rquote s men were cutting the wool off his sheep at Timnah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Someone told Tamar that her husband\rquote s father was going up to Timnah. He was going there to cut the wool off his sheep. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Tamar saw that Shelah was a man. But Judah had not made her Shelah\rquote s wife. So she took off her widow\rquote
s clothes. She put on a *veil and she covered herself up. Then she sat at a cross-roads. The cross-roads was on the way to Timnah.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Tamar had covered her face. She wanted Judah to think that she was a *prostitute. Judah saw Tamar. He thought that she was a *prostitute. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He went over to Tamar. She was at the side of the road. Judah said, \lquote Come. Let me have sex with you.\rquote
He did not know that the woman was his son\rquote s wife.
\par Tamar said, \lquote What will you pay to me if I have sex with you?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah answered, \lquote I will send to you a *kid from my *flock.\rquote
\par Tamar said, \lquote Will you give a *pledge to me until you send the *kid?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah said, \lquote What *pledge do you want?\rquote
\par Tamar replied, \lquote I want your *seal and string. And I want the stick that you are holding.\rquote So Judah gave them to Tamar. He had sex with her. She became *pregnant by him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Tamar got up and she went away. She took off her *veil. She put on her widow\rquote s clothes.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah sent the *kid with his friend, the man from Adullam. Judah wan
ted to get back his *seal and stick. However, the man from Adullam could not find Tamar. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He asked the men that were near, \lquote
Where is the *prostitute that meets people in the *temple? She was by the side of the road. She was at the cross-roads.\rquote
\par The men replied that there had not been a *prostitute there from the *temple. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Judah\rquote s friend went back to Judah. The friend said, \lquote
I could not find her. Also I spoke to the men that lived there. And they said that there had not been a *prostitute there from the *temple.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah replied, \lquote
Let the woman keep for herself the things that I gave as a *pledge. We do not want people to laugh at us. As you can see, I sent this *kid to her. But you could not find her.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After three months people told Judah, \lquote Tamar, your son\rquote s wife, has had sex. She is expecting a baby because she has had sex.\rquote
\par Judah said, \lquote Bring Tamar out and burn her.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When people were bringing Tamar out, she sent a message to her husband\rquote s father. She said, \lquote My child\rquote s father is the man th
at owns these things. Here are the *seal and string and stick. Please notice who owns them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Judah said that they were his. He said, \lquote Tamar is right and I am wrong. I did not make her my son Shelah\rquote s wife.\rquote
Judah did not have sex with her again.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When the time for the birth had come, there were *twins inside her body. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When she was having pains because of the birth, one *twin put out his fist. The nurse who was helping at the birth took a red *thread. And she tied it round his hand. She said, \lquote This child was born first.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But as the baby pulled back his hand, his brother was born instead. She said, \lquote How you have pushed yourself out, Perez!\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Afterwards his brother was born. The brother still had the red *thread on his hand. His name was Zerah.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Reuben, Simeon and Levi had all upset Jacob. They were his three oldest sons. Jacob did not want them to have the *birthright. So, Jacob decided that Joseph would receive the *birthright. But now, Jacob thought that Joseph was dead. So, Judah became Jacob
\rquote s most important son. Judah was Jacob\rquote s 4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 son, after Reuben, Simeon and Levi. But much of Judah\rquote
s life would also disappoint Jacob.
\par Judah had three sons. The first son, called Er, married Tamar. But Er was so evil that God killed him.
\par The people then had a custom that they considered important. If a widow did not yet have a child, the unmarried brother of the dead husband would marry the widow. Then, they would have children together. So, Er\rquote
s brother, called Onan, married Tamar. But he too was evil, and God killed him.
\par Judah promised that Tamar could marry Judah\rquote s last son, called Shelah. But when Shelah became old enough to marry, Judah did not arrange the marriage.
\par So, Tamar made a plan. She covered her face so that nobody would recognise her. She pretended to be a *prostitute. And she tempted Judah.
\par Afterwards, Judah discovered that Tamar was expecting a baby. He was very angry that she had acted as a *prostitute. He wanted to kill her. But she was able to show that Judah himself was responsible for her situation.
\par Judah felt very guilty. He confessed that he had been unfair to her. And he allowed her to live. In fact, she had *twins (two babies born together). The oldest, called Perez, received the *birthright among Judah\rquote s *descendants.
\par Judah\rquote s character and attitudes changed after this event. Before it, he was responsible for the sale of Joseph as a slave (Genesis 37:26-27). Afterwards, Judah himself offered to become a slave in order to save Benjamin (Genesis 44:16-34).
\par Among Jacob\rquote s sons, Judah was the oldest son who received Jacob\rquote s *blessing (Genesis 49:8-12). And that *blessing was very special. Jacob said that Judah\rquote s *descendants would include the kings of the
*Israelites. And the special *descendant of Eve (Genesis 3:15) and of Abraham (Galatians 3:16) would be a *descendant of Judah too. This special *descendant means Jesus (Hebrews 7:14). God sent Jesus to free people from their *sins.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-5 The writer never tells us the name of Judah\rquote s wife. Jacob\rquote s sons did not marry into their own *tribe as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had done.
\par Verse 6 Tamar was probably a *Canaanite.
\par Verse 7 The writer does not tell us what Er\rquote s *sin was. This was th
e first time that God killed one particular person only. (Or anyway, Er is the first one that we can read about.) In the great flood, God had killed nearly everyone. And in Sodom and Gomorrah, he had killed all the inhabitants except for Lot\rquote
s family.
\par Verses 8-10 Tamar had no children and Onan was unmarried. There was an ancient custom for people in this situation. The family expected a dead man\rquote s brother to have sex with the dead man\rquote
s widow. If a child was then born, people accepted it as the dead man\rquote s child. It meant that the child would *inherit instead of the brother. However, the brother was the child\rquote
s actual father. It is not clear whether people expected the brother to marry the widow. Perhaps they expected him just to have sex with her. But, among
the *Israelites, the brother had to marry her. Sex between people who were not married was always wrong. Onan was evil because he was doing a wrong thing to Tamar. A wife or widow was ashamed if she had no children. Onan was not obeying God. God had told
Onan\rquote s relatives to have large families. Also, Onan was not obeying his father.
\par Verse 11 This promise meant that Tamar and Shelah were engaged.
\par Verse 12 Instead of \lquote his friend Hirah\rquote , some translations say \lquote his *shepherd Hirah\rquote . Hirah may have been a *shepherd. But here he was Judah\rquote
s friend. The time when people cut the wool off sheep was a very important occasion. There were *feasts for the men that cut off the wool. And there was much wine at the *feasts.
\par Verses 13-14 We do not know whether *prostitutes
usually wore *veils. Tamar wore one so that Judah would not know her. Maybe other *prostitutes wore *veils so that people did not know them. Tamar covered her face because she did not want people to know her.
\par We read here, \lquote Then she sat at a cross-roads.\rquote But some translations say, \lquote Then she sat at the side of the road. That place was on the way into Enaim.\rquote The original *Hebrew text has this. \lquote
Then she sat at the opening of the eyes.\rquote Some writers a long time ago thought that it meant this. \lquote She sat where two roads came together.\rquote
That seems to be a likely place for a *prostitute to meet people. There, people were going from one place to another.
\par Verses 16-17 Sex between very close relatives in a family was very evil. But Judah did not recognise her. He agreed a price for sex.
\par Verse 18 A \lquote *pledge\rquote was a thing that a person gave as a promise. It was a promise that the person would pay a certain price. The person had agreed about the price. When the person had paid the price, then he or she received the *pledg
e back again. Tamar asked for some things that belonged to Judah. The *seal was a small tube that someone had made out of metal or stone. It had special marks. Those marks showed that the *seal belonged to Judah. The owner kept the *seal on a string. The
stick probably had special marks on it too. So those things could only belong to Judah. They could not belong to anyone else.
\par Verse 20 Judah sent the *kid so that he would receive his *pledge back.
\par Verse 21 Hirah asked for a \lquote *prostitute that meets people in the *temple\rquote
. Before, in verse 15, the writer used the word for an ordinary *prostitute. A *prostitute from the *temple was more important than an ordinary *prostitute. It was more polite to ask for a \lquote *prostitute from the *temple\rquote . But only people who
served *idols would use a *prostitute from the *temple. So, perhaps Judah served *idols at this time.
\par Verse 23 Judah was a rich man. He was afraid that his friends would laugh at him. They might laugh because a *prostitute had kept his *seal and stick. Actu
ally, she had stolen them. Judah had tried to pay the *prostitute with the *kid. And Judah emphasised here that Hirah certainly knew it.
\par Verse 24 Tamar was engaged to Shelah. Her father had promised to give her to Shelah as a wife. So, when Tamar had sex w
ith someone else, that was *adultery. *Israelites used to punish people that had done *adultery. Later, the *Israelites threw stones at such people until those people were dead, as a punishment. But Tamar was also guilty because she had become a *prostitu
te. Judah felt great shame that a member of his family had become a *prostitute.
\par Verse 25 Tamar was able to prove that she had had sex with Judah. She still had his *pledge. The *seal and stick had special marks. They could only belong to Judah.
\par Verse 26 Ju
dah knew that he had done something wrong. He had been unfair to her. He had not done the things that he promised to do. He had not followed the custom to help her to have a baby. So, he confessed that he was wrong. Afterwards, he acted in the right manne
r. He never had sex with Tamar again.
\par Verses 27-30 Tamar had *twins. It was important for the family to know who was born first. That son would have the *birthright, and he would become the leader of Judah\rquote s family.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 39
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph in Egypt
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now the *Is
hmaelite merchants took Joseph down to Egypt. Potiphar, an officer of *Pharaoh, bought him from them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the *Lord was with Joseph. Joseph did well in everything. Joseph was in the house of his *Egyptian master. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s master saw that the *Lord was with Joseph. The *Lord helped Joseph to do everything well. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph\rquote s master liked what Joseph did. And so he had Joseph work with him. He made Joseph the manager over everything. He put everything that he owned into Joseph\rquote s care. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 From the time when Joseph became the manager, the *Lord *blessed the *Egyptian\rquote
s *household. The *Lord *blessed it because of Joseph. The *Lord *blessed everything that the *Egyptian had at home. And he *blessed everything that the *Egyptian had outside in the field. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the master left everything in Joseph\rquote s care. The *Egyptian did not worry about anything. He himself only looked after the food that he ate.
\par Now Joseph had a handsome body and he had a handsome face. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After a while, his master\rquote s wife looked eagerly at Joseph. She said, \lquote
Have sex with me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph refused. He said to his master\rquote s wife, \lquote
Look! My master is not worried about anything in the house. That is because I am here. He has put everything into my care. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I have as much power in the house as my master has. He has not kept back anything from me except you yourself. That is because you are his wife. I could not be so wicked. I could not *sin against God like that.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The wife continued to talk to Joseph every day for many days. But he did not listen to her. He did not have sex with her and he did not come near her.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 One day, Joseph went into the house to work. No men that belonged to the house were there in the house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The master\rquote s wife seized Joseph\rquote s clothes. And she said, \lquote Have sex with me.\rquote
But Joseph left his clothes in her hand. He ran away and he went out of the house.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The master\rquote s wife saw that Joseph had left his clothes in her hand. He had run away out of the house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the wife called to the male servants that worked in the house. She said to them, \lquote
Look! He has brought a *Hebrew among us, who is playing unkind games with us. The *Hebrew came in to have sex with me. I cried out loudly. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When the *Hebrew heard my loud cry, he left his clothes with me. He ran away and he went out of the house.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the wife put the clothes aside near her until Joseph\rquote s master came home. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 She told the same story to the master. The wife said, \lquote The *Hebrew slave that you brought among us came in to me. He tried to play unkind games with me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Immediately, I shouted and I cried out. The *Hebrew left his clothes behind him. He ran away out of the house.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The master heard what his wife told to him. She said, \lquote That is what your servant did to me.\rquote The master was very angry. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s master took him and he put Joseph into prison. He put him in the prison where the king\rquote s officers kept the king\rquote s prisoners.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But the *Lord was with Joseph. He was kind to Joseph. He caused the keeper of the prison to like Joseph. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The keeper of the prison put all the prisoners into Joseph\rquote s care. That is, all the prisoners that were in the prison. Joseph did everything that people had to do there. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph had many things in his care. And the keeper of t
he prison did not worry about those things. That was because the *Lord was with Joseph. Joseph did everything well.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph was just a slave when he arrived in Egypt. But soon, he began to have a successful career. Joseph worked for an important man called
Potiphar. Soon, Potiphar realised that Joseph had many skills. Joseph was responsible and capable. Everything that Joseph did was successful. So, Potiphar gave Joseph authority over everything in his (Potiphar\rquote s) *household.
\par The promise that God gave to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) was starting to happen. God was *blessing Potiphar because of Joseph.
\par Joseph even impressed Potiphar\rquote s wife. She wanted to have sex with Joseph, who was an attractive young man. But Joseph knew that God does not permit such behaviour. So, Joseph refused. Potiphar\rquote
s wife was angry with Joseph. She lied that he tried to *rape her. So, Joseph became a prisoner.
\par Even in prison, Joseph impressed people. The guard realised that Joseph was responsible and capable. So, the guard gave Joseph aut
hority over the other prisoners. Soon, Joseph was managing the prison. Joseph was still a prisoner. But even in the prison, God made Joseph successful.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 The writer now goes back to the story about Joseph. This verse reminds us about Genesis 37:36. The writer tells us that Joseph went \lquote down\rquote
to Egypt. He probably means that a lot of the land in Egypt is lower than the mountains in Canaan. But Joseph had gone \lquote down\rquote in another way. He also went \lquote down\rquote in his social importance. He be
came a slave. He was not still a favourite son in a rich family.
\par Verses 2-3 In this chapter, the writer often tells us that the *Lord was with Joseph. Joseph suffered. But the *Lord was still taking care of him. And the *Lord made Joseph successful. So, Potiphar appointed him to do more important tasks.
\par Verse 4 Joseph soon became more important. He was a useful person and people trusted him. At home with his brothers, his own family did not respect him. But here in Egypt, his master respected him. That is c
lear. Soon, Joseph had authority over everything. But he worked well. He did not cheat his master.
\par Verse 5 God was *blessing Potiphar because of Joseph. In other words, Potiphar became more successful because Joseph was working for him.
\par Verse 6 Potiphar did not worry about his *household. That shows how much Potiphar trusted Joseph.
\par Verse 7 Joseph would not do wrong things. The situation was very difficult for him. His master\rquote s wife had a lot of power.
\par Verses 8-9 Joseph was responsible to his master. But Joseph also knew that he was responsible to God. We can see that Joseph was a *righteous man. He did not care about his own pleasure. Instead, Joseph thought about what God wanted him to do.
\par Verse 10 This did not just happen once. The master\rquote s wife tried to tempt Joseph every day.
\par Verse 11 The master\rquote s wife had probably sent the other servants out.
\par Verses 12-13 On this day, the master\rquote s wife held Joseph\rquote s clothing firmly. So, Joseph could not just walk away, as he had done on other days. But Joseph refused to
do what she wanted. He ran out of the house. She was still holding his clothing. He had done the right thing. But the master\rquote s wife now had evidence that seemed to prove her lie.
\par Verse 14 The master\rquote s wife pretended that Joseph tried to *rape her. When the wife talked to the servants, she even blamed her husband. She said that he had brought a foreign slave into the house.
\par Verses 16-18 The master\rquote s wife repeated her lies to her husband. She wanted him to punish Joseph. She was very angry with Joseph. Perhaps she felt ashamed that she tried to tempt Joseph. But she was not sorry. Like Joseph\rquote
s own brothers, she hated the fact that Joseph was *righteous.
\par Verses 19-20 The master\rquote s wife had said that Joseph had tried to *rape her. The usual punishment for that was death. Potiphar put Joseph into prison. It was a special prison. If a servant of the king had to go to prison, the king\rquote
s officers kept him there.
\par We do not know why Potiphar did not kill Joseph. But Potiphar was the captain of the guards (Genesis 38:3
6). So, perhaps Potiphar was responsible for the prison too. Potiphar knew that Joseph was capable. Perhaps Potiphar thought that Joseph would be very useful in the prison.
\par The writer does not use people\rquote s names very much in this story. He talks a lot about \lquote he\rquote , \lquote she\rquote , the \lquote master\rquote and the \lquote master\rquote s wife\rquote
. Perhaps it showed that the people in the story belonged to different social classes. Joseph was a slave. Potiphar and his wife were the master and the master\rquote s wife. They even had the legal right to kill their slaves.
\par Verse 21 God caused the keeper (guard) of the prison to like Joseph. But the guard did not prove that Joseph was not guilty. He did not take Joseph out of prison.
\par Verse 22 Soon, Joseph became very important in the prison. He had authority over all the other prisoners. Even in prison, God made Joseph successful.
\par Verse 23 Again the writer tells how people trusted Joseph. And the writer reminds us why Joseph was successful. Joseph was successful because God *blessed him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 40
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph tells what some people\rquote s dreams mean
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Some time later, the *Egyptian king\rquote
s *butler and baker both did something wrong against their *lord, the king of Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
*Pharaoh (the king) was angry with two of his officers. They were the chief *butler and the chief baker. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So *Pharaoh put them in prison. That is, the guards kept them in a house. The house belonged to the captain of the guard. That was the same prison that Joseph was in. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 The captain of the guard told Joseph to look after the *butler and the baker. So Joseph served them. They were in prison for some time.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
One night, both the *butler and the baker dreamed. They had both served the king of Egypt. He had put them into that prison. Each man dreamed his own dream. And each dream had its own meaning.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph came to those men the next morning. He saw that they were unhappy. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph spoke to those officers of *Pharaoh. They were in prison with Joseph. They were in his master\rquote s house. Joseph asked the men why they had sad faces that morning.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The men answered him, \lquote We have had dreams. But there is nobody that can tell their meaning to us.\rquote
\par Then Joseph said to the men, \lquote It is God who tells their meaning. He tells what dreams mean. Please tell your dreams to me.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the chief *butler told his dream to Joseph. The *butler said, \lquote In my dream I saw a *vine in front of me. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There were three branches on that *vine. Immediately when it had *buds, its flowers opened from them. Bunches (groups) of ripe *grapes grew. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I had *Pharaoh\rquote s cup in my hand. I took the *grapes. And I squeezed them so that their juice went into *Pharaoh\rquote s cup. And I gave the cup into *Pharaoh\rquote s hand.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph said to him, \lquote This is what it means. The three branches mean three days. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In three days, *Pharaoh will lift up your head. He will give to you your job as *butler again. You will give to *Pharaoh his cup of wine. You will give it into his hand, exactly as you did before. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But please remember me. Please be kind. Tell *Pharaoh about me, when you are doing well. Please get me out of this house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Actually, people stole me from the country where the *Hebrews live. And also I have done nothing wrong here. I should not be living in a prison.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The chief baker saw that the meaning of the dream was good. So he said to Joseph, \lquote I too had a dream. I had three baskets of cakes on my head.
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In the top basket, there were very many different kinds of foods. I had baked them for *Pharaoh. But the birds were eating them out of the baske
t on my head.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph answered, \lquote This is what it means. The three baskets mean three days. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In three days, *Pharaoh will lift up your head. He will take your head from you. He will hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat your *flesh.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It was *Pharaoh\rquote s birthday on the 3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 rd}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
day. He made a *feast for all his servants. He lifted up both the chief *butler\rquote s head and the chief baker\rquote s head among his servants. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
*Pharaoh gave the *butler\rquote s job back to the *butler. So the *butler again placed the cup of wine into *Pharaoh\rquote s hand. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
*Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, however. It happened exactly as Joseph had said. He had said it when he had heard their dreams.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, the chief *butler did not remember Joseph. He forgot him.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph was responsible for all the prisoners. So, Joseph was a skilled manager. But Joseph was also a holy man. And he knew that his relationship with God was very important. Even in prison, Joseph was still a *righteous man.
\par Two prisoners had strange dreams on the same night. They thought that their dreams had an important meaning. But they did not know the meaning. So, they were worried about the dreams.
\par Joseph told the prisoners that God knew the meaning of their dreams. Then God showed Joseph the meaning:
\par }\pard \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\tx360\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af3 \ltrch\fcs0 \f3\insrsid16530303 \'b7\tab }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *butler\rquote
s dream meant that *Pharaoh would free the *butler. And *Pharaoh would reappoint the *butler to his old job. Joseph asked the *butler to tell *Pharaoh about his (Joseph\rquote s) situation.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af3 \ltrch\fcs0 \f3\insrsid16530303 \'b7\tab }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The baker\rquote s dream meant that the baker would soon die.
\par }\pard \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Three days later, t
hese things happened as Joseph had said. But the *butler did not tell *Pharaoh about Joseph. It was not yet the right time for *Pharaoh to free Joseph. God had a plan for Joseph. But Joseph did not yet know about this plan.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 *Pharaoh was the special name that all the kings of Egypt had.
\par Verses 2-4 These men worked for the king. So, they went to the special prison for the king\rquote s prisoners. Joseph was responsible for the prisoners in that prison.
\par Verse 5 The *Egyptians believed that the gods sent dreams. They had many \lquote wise men\rquote . Those \lquote wise men\rquote
said what dreams meant. The two prisoners were unhappy. Each one believed that the gods had sent a message to him. They could not discover what the dreams meant.
\par Verses 6-7 Joseph really cared about the prisoners that he looked after. He even noticed that the men were anxious. He encouraged them to tell him why they were worried.
\par Verse 8 Joseph did not believe in their false gods. But he knew that the real God knows the solution to every problem.
\par Of course, most dreams have no special meaning. But sometimes God uses dreams to speak to people. Joseph had such dreams in the past (Genesis 37:5-9). And he could remember these dreams (Genesis 42:9). Perhaps he was hopeful about the future because o
f these dreams.
\par Verse 9-11 The chief *butler\rquote s dream described the work that he used to do. He would make drinks for *Pharaoh. And then the *butler would give the drinks to *Pharaoh.
\par Verse 13 \lquote Lift up your head\rquote means more than one thing. It can mean that the person does well. His head will not be down in shame any longer. He will show his face. He will not be sad. That was how the chief *butler would be.
\par Verses 14-15 Joseph asked the *butler to tell *Pharaoh about Joseph\rquote
s situation in prison. Joseph did not deserve to be in prison. Soon, the *butler would be free. And the *butler would be important again. So, the *butler would have the opportunity to speak to *Pharaoh about Joseph.
\par Verses 16-17 The baker\rquote s dream also seemed to describe his work. But something was wrong. The birds were taking the bread that belonged to *Pharaoh.
\par Verse 18 Joseph was honest. He told the meaning of the dream, although the meaning was bad news. He did not pretend that the dream had a good meaning. He did not say that in order to please the baker.
\par Verse 19 \lquote Lift up your head\rquote could also have another meaning. It could mean that someone would put very strong thick string round a person\rquote s neck. Then someone would hang the person. That was what happened to the chief baker.
\par Verses 20-22 *Pharaoh was the king of Egypt. Kings often did special things to prisoners on the king\rquote s birthday. It was a way for the king to show how important he was. *Pharaoh had the power of life and death over his peo
ple. He could order someone\rquote s death. Or, he could make someone important.
\par *Pharaoh did whatever he wanted. But God knew what would happen.
\par Verse 23 Joseph remained in the prison. It was not yet God\rquote s time for Joseph to be free.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 41
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh\rquote s dreams
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After two whole years, *Pharaoh dreamed. He dreamed that he was standing by the River Nile. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then 7 fat healthy cows came up out of the river. They were eating the tall grass by the river. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then 7 more cows came up out of the river behind them. These other cows were thin and *bony. They stood on the land by the river. They stood near the 7 fat cows. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 The thin *bony cows ate up the 7 fat healthy cows. Then *Pharaoh woke up.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh slept again and he dreamed again. This time he saw 7 *ears of corn, which were fat and healthy. They were growing on one stem. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After that, he saw 7 more *ears of corn. But these were thin and bad because the strong east wind had blown them about. And it had also damaged them because it was a hot wind. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The thin *ears of corn swallowed up the 7 big fat *ears of corn. Then *Pharaoh woke up. And he knew that it was a dream.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So, in the morning, *Pharaoh was very worried. He sent someone to call for all the wise men in Egypt. *Pharaoh told his dream to them. Not one
of them could tell *Pharaoh what it meant.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the chief *butler said to *Pharaoh, \lquote Now I remember that I have done something wrong. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When *Pharaoh was angry with his servants, he put us in prison. The prison was in a house. The house belongs to the captain of the guard. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The chief baker and I both dreamed on the same night. We each had a dream that had its own meaning. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There was a young *Hebrew there with us. He was a servant of the captain of the guard. We told our dreams to the *Hebrew. Then he told us what they meant. He told each man what his own dream meant. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It happened exactly as he said. *Pharaoh gave my job as *butler back to me. But he made someone hang the baker.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh sent people to call for Joseph. They hurried to
bring him out of the prison. (The prison was in a very big hole in the ground.) Joseph shaved himself and he changed his clothes. Then he came in and he came in front of *Pharaoh.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh said to Joseph, \lquote I have had a dream. Nobody can tell me what i
t means. But I have heard this about you. When you hear a dream, you know its meaning.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph answered *Pharaoh, \lquote I cannot do it. But God will give a kind answer to *Pharaoh.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh told Joseph what he (*Pharaoh) had seen in his dream. *Pharaoh said, \lquote I was standing on the land by the Nile river. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I saw 7 fat healthy cows come up out of the river. They were eating the tall grass by the river. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Seven (7) more cows came up behind them. These cows were very sick, *bony and thin. I have never seen such poor cows in all this country, Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the thin *bony cows ate up the 7 fat cows, which had come out of the river first. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Afterwards, nobody would have known that the thin cows had eaten the fat cows. The thin cows were still as thin as they had been before. Then I woke up.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 In my dream, I also saw 7 *ears of corn. They were growing on one stem. They were fat, healthy *ears. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then 7 more *ears of corn grew out of the stem. But these *ears were thin and bad because the strong
east wind had blown them about. And it had damaged them because it was a hot wind also. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The 7 thin *ears swallowed up the 7 healthy *ears of corn. I told my dream to the wise men. But not one of them could tell me what it meant.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph said to *Pharaoh, \lquote *Pharaoh\rquote s dream has one meaning. God has shown to *Pharaoh what he (God) will do. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The 7 healthy cows are 7 years. The 7 fat *ears of corn are 7 years. It means the same. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The 7 thin *bony cows came up out of the river behind the fat co
ws. The thin cows are 7 years. Then there were 7 thin, bad *ears of corn. The strong east wind had blown them about. And it had damaged them because it was a hot wind also. The 7 thin *ears are 7 years too. They are 7 years when there will be *famine.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It is as I told *Pharaoh. God has shown to *Pharaoh what he (God) will do. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All this country, Egypt, will have 7 years with very big harvests of food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
After that, there will be 7 years with *famine. The people in Egypt will forget that there were 7 years with big harvests. During the *famine, people will eat everything up. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 People will forget the large amounts of food that were in this country. They will forget them because of the *famine which will follow. The *famine will be very bad. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh dreamed the same thing twice. That means that God has decided it definitely. Soon, God will make it happen.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now therefore, let *Pharaoh choose a man that is wise and careful. Let *Pharaoh appoint that man over this country, Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let *Pharaoh appoint *overseers over the country. Let him take a fifth of the harvest in this country, Egypt. Let him take it during the 7 years when there is plenty. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Let people save food during the good years that are coming. And let the *overseers gather all the food that the people save at that time. Let the *overseers collect corn for food in the cities. And let them store it. Let *Pharaoh make sure that people do
all this. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
There will be 7 years when there will be *famine in Egypt. People will store the food and they will keep it until the *famine. Then they can use it. So the people in Egypt will not die in the *famine.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s idea seemed good to *Pharaoh. And it seemed good to all *Pharaoh\rquote s servants. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So *Pharaoh said to his servants, \lquote Surely we cannot find a man like this, who has God\rquote s Spirit!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v39}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh said to Joseph, \lquote God has shown all this to you. Therefore there is nobody that is so wise and careful as you. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v40}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You shall rule over my house. All my people shall do what you order. I will still be the king, but apart from that we will be equal.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v41}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh said to Joseph, \lquote Look! I have appointed you over all this country, Egypt.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v42}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh took his special ring from his own hand. The ring had his *seal on it. *Pharaoh put the ring on Joseph\rquote
s hand. He dressed Joseph in clothes that someone had made from excellent linen (very good quality material). And *Pharaoh put a gold chain round Joseph\rquote s neck. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v43}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 He made Joseph ride in his second *chariot. Men cried out in front of Joseph, \lquote Go down on your knees.\rquote So *Pharaoh appointed Joseph over all that country, Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v44}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh also said to Joseph, \lquote I am *Pharaoh. In all this country, Egypt, nobody shall lift up his hand or foot unless you say so.\rquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v45}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh called Joseph Zaphenath-Paneah. He gave a bride to Joseph. She was Asenath, Potiphera\rquote
s daughter. Potiphera was the priest in the city called On. So Joseph went out over all that country, Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v46}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph was 30 years old when he started to serve *Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. Joseph left *Pharaoh and Joseph went through all Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v47}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 During the 7 years when there was plenty, the land produced big harvests. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v48}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Joseph gathered
together all the spare food in the 7 years when there was plenty in that country, Egypt. He stored it in the cities. In every city, there was a store of food. People had gathered that food from the fields that were round the cities. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v49}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph stored large amounts of corn. It was like the sand by the sea. He did not measure it any longer because there was too much to measure.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v50}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Before the first year when there was *famine, Joseph had two sons. Asenath gave birth to them for him. She was the daughter of P
otiphera, who was the priest in the city called On. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v51}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph called the first son that was born Manasseh. Joseph said, \lquote
God has made me forget all my trouble. And he has made me forget all my father\rquote s *household.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v52}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph called his second son Ephraim
. Joseph said, \lquote God has made me *fruitful in this country where I had trouble.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v53}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There were 7 years when there was plenty in the country called Egypt. But they ended. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v54}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And the 7 years with *famine began, exactly as Joseph had said. There was *famine in all countries. But in all the country called Egypt, there was food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v55}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When all the people in Egypt were starving, they cried to *Pharaoh. They cried to him for food. *Pharaoh told all the *Egyptians to go to Joseph. *Pharaoh said, \lquote Do what Joseph tells you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v56}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So when people were starving over all that country, Joseph opened all the stores of food. He sold corn to the *Egyptians. There was a bad *famine in that country, Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v57}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 People came to Egypt to buy corn from Joseph. They came from all over the world, because there was a bad *famine over all the earth.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph was still a prisoner when *Pharaoh had two strange dreams. In the first dream, 7 thin cows ate 7 fat co
ws. In the second dream, 7 weak stems of grain ate 7 good ones. *Pharaoh tried to use magic to understand the dreams. But the magic failed.
\par In chapter 40, God had shown Joseph the meaning of the *butler\rquote s dream. As Joseph had said, the *butler was now work
ing for *Pharaoh again. So, the *butler suggested that *Pharaoh should speak to Joseph. The officials took Joseph from the prison into *Pharaoh\rquote s palace.
\par Of course, Joseph himself did not know the meaning of *Pharaoh\rquote s dreams. But Joseph was confident that
God knew the answer. God showed Joseph that both dreams had the same meaning. For 7 years, the harvests in Egypt would be good. But afterwards, for another period of 7 years, there would not be enough food. So, Joseph advised *Pharaoh to store food from
the good harvests. Then, this food would be available for the next 7 years.
\par Joseph\rquote s wisdom impressed *Pharaoh. *Pharaoh was confident that Joseph\rquote s advice came from God. So, *Pharaoh appointed Joseph to be a ruler of Egypt. Only *Pharaoh himself was more important than Joseph was.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-7 The two years were after *Pharaoh had freed the *butler from prison. Joseph was still in prison for all this time. But he did not waste his time. He continued to look after the other prisoners in a r
esponsible manner.
\par The Nile River was very important for Egypt. It often flooded the land round it and that made the soil rich. Cows were very important for *Egyptians. The *Egyptians thought that cows were *holy and special. The *Egyptians thought that th
eir *Pharaoh was a \lquote god\rquote . They also thought that dreams were messages from the gods. So when *Pharaoh dreamed, it was very important.
\par Verse 8 Very many wise men in Egypt studied dreams. And they used magic to find out what dreams meant. But their magic failed. They could not tell *Pharaoh the meaning of these dreams.
\par Verse 9 Joseph had asked the *butler to speak to *Pharaoh about Joseph\rquote s situation (Genesis 40:14-15). But the *butler forgot (Genesis 40:23). However, the *butler remembered Joseph when *Phara
oh was worried about the dreams. We can see that God arranged the right time for Joseph to see *Pharaoh.
\par Verses 10-11 The chief *butler was very polite to his master, *Pharaoh. It was not polite to call the king \lquote you\rquote . So the *butler said, \lquote When *Pharaoh was angry...\rquote
\par The *butler described to *Pharaoh the events in chapter 40.
\par Verse 12 Joseph was still Potiphar\rquote s slave and he was working for Potiphar. Potiphar was the official who looked after the prison.
\par Joseph would seem very unimportant to *Pharaoh. But *Pharaoh needed Joseph because God was with Joseph. God had told Joseph the meaning of these dreams.
\par Verse 14 *Hebrew men did not shave. They had beards. But *Egyptians did shave.
\par Joseph had been in prison. But now, he was preparing to meet *Pharaoh in the palace.
\par Verse 16 Joseph could only explain dreams because God told him the meaning. It was not because Joseph was clever. He told Pharaoh that clearly. God was doing as he had promised. And God was *blessing other nations by means of Abraham\rquote s family.
\par Verses 17-21 *Pharaoh described the dreams. He added some words in his descriptions. These show that the dreams were clear in his mind.
\par Verse 23 The east wind was hot and dry. And so it made the grains start to become dry. They were losing their proper shape. They were not thick and smooth any longer.
\par Verse 24 The magic had failed. Perhaps *Pharaoh realised that he needed an answer from God.
\par Verse 25 *Pharaoh had dreamed two dreams, but they both meant the same thing. Most dreams just come from the imagination. But this time, *Pharaoh\rquote
s dreams came from God. God was using the dreams to warn *Pharaoh. And God placed Joseph in Egypt to help *Pharaoh in this particular situation.
\par Verses 26-27 Joseph showed *Pharaoh the meaning of the dreams.
\par Verses 28-32 Joseph gave a *prophecy about the future. He emphasised that this matter was God\rquote s decision. *Pharaoh served false gods and he used magic. But *Pharaoh\rquote
s false gods could not save him now. And no magic could stop the troubles that would affect Egypt. *Pharaoh had received a message from the real God. So, *Pharaoh should do whatever God wanted.
\par Verses 33-34 In verse 33, Joseph asked *Pharaoh to appoint one *overseer. But then in verse 34, he asked *Pharaoh to appoint many other *overseers. One man alone would not be
able to do the job. He would need other men to work under his authority. He could order them to do what they had to do.
\par Verses 35-36 God had warned *Pharaoh because God did not want the people to suffer. *Pharaoh could arrange to store food. Then, food would still be available when the harvests were poor.
\par Verse 38 *Pharaoh knew that Joseph had more than a man\rquote s wisdom. God had given wisdom to Joseph. So, *Pharaoh wanted Joseph to be the *overseer.
\par Verses 39-41 Suddenly, Joseph became the most important man in Egypt, except for *Pharaoh. Everybody had to obey Joseph. But Joseph did not change his attitudes. He was responsible when he was in prison. And he would still be responsible as a ruler.
\par Verse 42 The ring was a special one. It had *Pharaoh\rquote s *seal on it
. *Pharaoh could press the *seal onto some wet *clay or *wax that was on a new law or command. That made a special mark on the *clay or *wax. The mark showed to everyone that *Pharaoh approved of that law or command.
\par Verse 43 *Pharaoh gave great honour to Joseph. But Joseph did not become proud.
\par Verse 44 Joseph was now responsible for everything that happened in Egypt. He had the right to give whatever commands he wanted.
\par Verse 45 Joseph had an *Egyptian wife, but that was in God\rquote s plan. Joseph gave *Hebrew names to his sons.
\par Verses 46-49 There were good harvests for 7 years, as God had shown to Joseph. Joseph bought all the grain that people did not need. The grain was cheap during those years, because the people had plenty. Grain stores well in Egypt because the air is dry.
\par Verse 50-52 Many people forget about God when they are successful. But we can see that Joseph was still serving God. Joseph was thinking about God when he (Joseph) chose his sons\rquote names. Joseph knew that God had guided him.
\par Joseph\rquote s troubles were in the past. Joseph had suffered greatly in Egypt. But now God had made him successful.
\par Verses 53-54 These things happened as Joseph had said. So, Joseph\rquote s *prophecy was right. But God had arranged for Joseph to store the food that the people needed.
\par Verse 55 *Pharaoh trusted Joseph completely. Joseph would make the right decision about when to sell food.
\par Verses 56-57 When Joseph began to sell the grain, people from many countries travelled to Egypt to buy it. There was plenty of grain in Egypt because of Joseph\rquote s work during the 7 good years.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 42
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph and his brothers
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt. Then he said to his sons, \lquote Do not just stand there while you look at each other!\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said,
\lquote Look! I have heard that there is corn in Egypt. Go down there and buy corn for us. Then we can stay alive. Then we will not die.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So 10 of Joseph\rquote s brothers went down to buy corn in Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob did not send Benjamin (Joseph\rquote s brother) with the other brothers. Jacob was afraid that Benjamin might suffer something bad. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 So Israel\rquote s sons came to buy corn together with other people. There was *famine in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 At that time, Joseph was governing over the country called Egypt. He sold corn to all the people in that country. Joseph\rquote
s brothers came and they *bowed in front of him. They *bowed with their faces to the ground. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Joseph saw his brothers and he knew them. However, he behaved as if they were strangers. Joseph spoke severely to his brothers. \lquote Where do you come from?\rquote he asked.
\par The brothers replied, \lquote We have come from the country called Canaan to buy food.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph knew his brothers, but they did not know him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Joseph remembered the dreams that he had had about his brothers. He said to them, \lquote You are *spies. You have come to discover whether this country, Egypt is weak.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers replied, \lquote No, my *lord, your servants have come to buy food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. We, your servants, are not *spies.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to them, \lquote No, you have come to discover where this country, Egypt, is weak.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They said, \lquote We, your servants, are 12 brothers. We are the sons of one man in the country called Canaan. Look! Our youngest brother is t
oday with our father. One brother is dead.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Joseph said to them, \lquote It is as I said to you. You are *spies. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will test you. You will not leave here unless your youngest brother comes here. That is true quite as certainly as *Pharaoh is alive. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303
Send one man from among you to fetch your brother. All the other brothers will stay here in prison. In that way, I will prove your story. I will see whether you are telling the truth. If you are lying, then you are *spies. I tell that to you quite as cer
tainly as *Pharaoh is alive.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph put all the brothers together in prison for three days.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the third day, Joseph said this to his brothers: \lquote I respect God very greatly. So do as I say. Then you will live. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If you are honest men, then let on
e of your brothers stay here. He will stay in prison. You other men should go home and you should take corn. So then the people in your *households will not die because of the *famine. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then bring your youngest brother to me. So then I will know that you are speaking the truth. Then you will not die.\rquote They did as Joseph ordered.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then they said to each other, \lquote Truly we are guilty. We saw that our brother Joseph had become very unhappy
. He desperately asked us to help him. But we would not listen. So now we are suffering.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuben answered them, \lquote
I told you not to do bad things to the boy, Joseph. But you did not want to listen. Now God is punishing us because we killed him.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The
brothers did not know that Joseph understood them. There was an interpreter between them and Joseph.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph turned away from them and he cried. Then he came back to them and he spoke to them. He took Simeon away from them. They watched Joseph put
Simeon in chains.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph gave orders to fill the brothers\rquote sacks with corn. He gave orders to put each man\rquote
s money in his sack. And he ordered people to give food to them for their journey home. So people did all that for the brothers. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brother
s then loaded their *donkeys with the corn and they left for home.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The brothers stopped at a place where people could lodge on the way. One brother opened his sack in order to feed his *donkey. Then he saw his money at the top of the sack. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He said to his brothers, \lquote Someone has given my money back. Here it is in the top of my sack.\rquote
\par Then the brothers were very afraid and they trembled because of fear. They said, \lquote God has punished us!\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They came back to Jacob, their father, in the country called Canaan. They told him everything that had happened. They said this. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote The man, the *lord of that country, spoke severely to us. He thought that we were exploring the country as *spies. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We told him, \'93We are honest men. We are not *spies. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We are 12
brothers, sons of one father. One brother is dead. The youngest brother is today with our father in the country called Canaan.\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the man, the *lord of that country, said this to us. \'93
I shall test you. In that way, I will discover whether you are honest men. Leave one of your brothers. Leave him here with me. Take the corn for the people who live in your homes. Then they will not die because of the *famine. Go home. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Bring your young
est brother to me. Then I shall know that you are not *spies. I shall know that you are honest men. Then I will give your brother back to you and you can trade in this country.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v35}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers emptied their sacks. Then they discovered that each man\rquote s m
oney was in his sack. The brothers and their father were all afraid when they found the money. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v36}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob, their father, said this to them: \lquote
You have taken my children from me. Joseph is not here. Simeon is not here. Now you want to take Benjamin away too.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v37}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Reuben said this to his father. \lquote
If I do not bring Benjamin back to you, then kill my two sons. Put Benjamin into my care. I will bring him back to you.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v38}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Jacob replied, \lquote My son shall not go down with you. His brother is dead. He is the on
ly one that remains. Something might hurt him on the journey that you are making to Egypt. That would kill me because it would make me so very sad. I am an old man with grey hair.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Like everybody else, Joseph\rquote s brothers had to go to Egypt to buy food. They did not know that Joseph was a ruler in Egypt. They had sold him as a slave. And now, they did not even know that Joseph was alive.
\par When Joseph saw his brothers, his emotions felt very strong. He loved his brothers. He did not want them to suffer while th
e harvests were poor. He wanted to share with them the good things that he had received in Egypt. But Joseph realised that this might not be a good idea.
\par Joseph knew that, in the past, his brothers\rquote behaviour had been terrible. They had been selfish. They had been cruel. They had killed other men because of their anger. In fact, Joseph\rquote s brothers had even wanted to kill Joseph himself.
\par Joseph was a very responsible man. He would not allow his brothers to cause such trouble in Egypt. So, he made a plan that
would test his brothers. He needed to be sure that their attitudes had now changed. If they were humble, he would forgive them. If they respected him, he would give them honour and wealth. But if their attitudes were still wrong, Joseph could not help the
m.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Joseph\rquote
s brothers had grown older and they were married. But Jacob was still the master. The brothers were unhappy. They had no crops to harvest. They probably did not trust each other. Maybe they thought about whether there m
ight be secret stores of food. People behave like that when there is *famine.
\par Verse 2 In chapter 12, Abraham went to Egypt for food. He went there because of a bad *famine.
\par Verses 3-4 Jacob believed that Joseph was dead. So, perhaps Jacob thought that Benjamin should have the *birthright. Benjamin was in fact Jacob\rquote s youngest son. But Jacob acted as if Benjamin was more important than his other sons.
\par Verse 5 *Famines happened sometimes in Egypt and Canaan. But they did not usually happen in both those countries at the same time.
\par Verse 6 This was like Joseph\rquote s dream in Genesis 37:7.
\par Verse 7 Joseph wanted to know whether his brothers still hated him. Or perhaps they were sorry about what they had done to him earlier. He did not want to punish them.
\par Verse 8 Joseph dressed as an *Egyptian (Genesis 41:42). He had shaved (Genesis 41:14). He spoke the *Egyptian language (Genesis 42:23). He even had an *Egyptian name (Genesis 41:45).
\par Verse 9 Joseph remembered his dreams in Genesis 37:7-9. So, Joseph knew that this event was God\rquote s plan. And Joseph knew that God was guiding him.
\par Verses 10-12 There were many wars at this time. Rulers would send men in secret. Then, the men would return with information. Rulers would use this information when they made their plans to attack.
\par Joseph\rquote s brothers had not really come to Egypt for this reason. In fact, Joseph was using this as an excuse, so that he could ask them questions. He wanted to test their attitudes.
\par Verse 13 The brothers clearly remembered what they had done to Joseph. Jacob probably talked about Joseph often. In *Hebrew, the brothers said that Joseph was \lquote no more\rquote
. It might mean that he was dead. Or, that they did not know where he was.
\par Verse 15 Joseph made a serious statement. And he said that it was true \lquote as certainly as *Pharaoh is alive\rquote . So Joseph seemed very *Egyptian to his brothers.
\par Verses 16-17 Perhaps this was the same prison where Joseph himself had spent several years. Joseph was strict, but he was not cruel. He freed them after just three days.
\par Verses 19-20 Joseph wanted to send the grain to Canaan quickly. He did not want his brothers\rquote families to suffer. His brothers had not yet passed Joseph\rquote
s test. But Joseph knew that they would have to return. The harvests in Canaan would be poor for several more years.
\par Verse 21 Joseph\rquote s brothers had put him into a pit (very big hole) and then they had sold him. Joseph had cried out to his brothers for help. The writer did not tell us about that earlier.
\par Verse 22 Until now, Joseph did not know that Reuben tried to save h
im. Now Reuben thought that God was punishing the brothers. But Joseph did not want to punish the brothers. Joseph wanted to forgive them. He felt sorry for them. He knew that they were feeling guilty. But he was not sure that their attitudes had really c
hanged.
\par Verse 24 The writer does not say why Joseph chose Simeon. Joseph had just learned that Reuben, the oldest son, had tried to save Joseph (verses 22 and 23). So Joseph did not take Reuben. Simeon was the second son in order of age. Perhaps he was a le
ader. Simeon and Levi were very cruel when they attacked the men in Shechem (chapter 34). Simeon was Leah\rquote s second son. Joseph kept Simeon there in Egypt. In that way, he made sure that Benjamin, Rachel\rquote s second son, would come to Egypt.
\par Verse 25 The writer does not say why Joseph gave the money back. Possibly Joseph was testing the brothers. In that way, he would discover what they would do. They might keep the money. Or they might come back so that Joseph would free Simeon.
\par But perhaps Joseph was just being kind. He knew that the *famine would last for several more years. The brothers would need money in order to buy food. Joseph cared about his family.
\par Verses 27-28 The reaction of the brothers shows us that they were very worried. They did not think that
God returned their money in order to show kindness. Instead, they felt even more guilty. They thought that God was punishing them. They were afraid that the *Egyptians would consider them thieves.
\par Verses 29-33 The brothers described the events in Egypt to Jacob, even before they opened their sacks. These events seemed terrible. Simeon was now a prisoner. The brothers never even imagined that the *Egyptian ruler might be Joseph.
\par Verse 34 \lquote You can trade in this country.\rquote That means that they would be free. They could travel about in Egypt as free men.
\par Verse 35 The brothers probably opened only one sack on the way home (verse 28). They were afraid that it was a clever plan by Joseph. They thought that Joseph wanted an excuse. So then he could call them thieves because of the money.
\par Verse 36 The news really upset Jacob. Jacob probably spoke about Joseph first because Joseph had the *birthright. Then he spoke about Simeon. Jacob had not been pleased about Simeon\rquote s cruelty. But Simeon was still Jacob\rquote
s son, so Jacob cared about him. Then Jacob spoke about Benjamin. Benjamin had become Jacob\rquote s favourite son. Jacob had not allowed Benjamin to go to Egypt in order to protect him.
\par Verse 37 The brothers argued with Jacob. But Jacob certainly did not want to kill anyone, and Reuben knew this. However, Reuben still tried to argue with Jacob.
\par Verse 38 Jacob would not agree with his ten sons. He spoke about Joseph and Benjamin as if they were his only sons. Jacob believed that Joseph was dead. So, Jacob did not want to risk Benjamin\rquote
s life. If anything bad happened to Benjamin, Jacob would be sorry for the rest of his life.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 43
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers return to Egypt
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *famine was very bad in the country called C
anaan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s family had eaten up the corn that they had brought from Egypt. So Jacob said, \lquote Go again to Egypt to buy a little food.
\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah said to Jacob, \lquote The man warned us often. He said that we would not see him again unless we brought our brother with us. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If you will send our brother with us, we will go down to Egypt. We will go there in order to buy food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 If you will not send our brother, then we will not go down. The man told us this plainly. He said that we would not see him again unless our brother was with us.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel said, \lquote Why did you tell him that you had another brother? You did an evil thing to me when you said that.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers replied, \lquote The man asked us many questions about ourselves and our family. He asked us whether ou
r father was still alive. He asked us whether we had any other brother. We only told him what he asked. We did not know that he would ask us to bring our brother down with us.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah said to his father Israel, \lquote Send the boy in my care. Then we will get
ready and we will go. Then we shall live. If we do not go, we shall all die. That includes you and all our young children. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
I promise that the boy will be safe. I will be responsible for him. I will be guilty for always, if I do not bring him back to you safely. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
If we had not waited, we could have gone there. And we could have come back. We could have done it twice.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then their father, Israel said this to the brothers: \lquote Take in your bags some very good things that grow in Canaan. Take a present to
the man. Take for him a little *balm, a little honey, *gum, *myrrh, *almonds and other nuts. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Take a double amount of money with you. Take back the money that was in the sacks. Perhaps someone put it there by mistake. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Take your brother too. Go. Go back to the man. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Let God *Almighty be *merciful to you when you see the man. Then the man will send back your other brother and Benjamin. If I lose my children, then I lose my children.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the men took the present. They took a double amount of mon
ey with them. They also took Benjamin. They got ready and they went down to Egypt. They stood in front of Joseph. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Joseph saw Benjamin with them. Joseph said to the *steward of his house, \lquote Bring these men into my house. Kill an animal and cook it. These men will eat with me at midday.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward did as Joseph ordered. The *steward brought the brothers into Joseph\rquote s house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers said, \lquote He has brought us here because of the money that was in our sacks. He will accuse us. He will put us in
chains. He will make us slaves and he will take our *donkeys from us.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the brothers went to the *steward of Joseph\rquote s house. They spoke to the *steward at the door. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They said to him, \lquote Oh, my *lord, we came down once before to buy food. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
When we opened our sacks on the way home, we found our money. Every man\rquote s money was at the top of his sack. All his money was there. We have brought it back with us. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We have also brought more money here to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward answered, \lquote It is all right. Do not be afraid. I think that your God, your father\rquote
s God, put something very valuable in your sacks for you. I had the money that you paid.\rquote Then he brought Simeon out to them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward took the brothers into Joseph\rquote s house. The *steward gave water to them and they washed their feet. He fed their *donkeys. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the brothers took out the present. Someone had told them that they would have a meal in Joseph\rquote s house at midday. They decided to giv
e the present to Joseph then.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph came home. Then the brothers brought the present into Joseph\rquote s house with them. They *bowed down to the ground in front of Joseph. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph asked whether they were well. He asked whether their old father was well.
He said that they had told him before about their father. He asked whether the father was still alive.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They replied, \lquote Your servant, our father, is well. He is still alive.\rquote
They *bowed their heads. And they went down on their knees in front of Joseph.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph looked up and he saw Benjamin, the son of Joseph\rquote s mother. He said, \lquote
Is this your youngest brother? You told me about him. Let God be *merciful to you, my son!\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Joseph hurried out. He needed to cry alone. He very much wanted to hug his brother. He went into his room and he wept.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph washed his face and he came out. He made himself calm and he ordered the servants to bring the food.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servant
s served Joseph separately. They served the brothers separately and they served the other *Egyptians separately. *Egyptians could not eat food with *Hebrews. *Egyptians did not eat with people from other nations. The *Egyptians believed that it was a very
evil thing. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The brothers sat in front of Joseph. He had arranged them there in order of birth. They were in order from the oldest to the youngest. That astonished the brothers and they looked at each other. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The servants took food to them from Joseph\rquote s table. They gave 5 times more to Benjamin than to anyone else. So they drank and they had a happy time together.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 As the *famine continued, Jacob\rquote s family became desperate for food again. But Jacob still would not let Benjamin go to Egypt. And the other
brothers did not dare to go to Egypt without Benjamin. The *Egyptian ruler had warned them not to enter Egypt without Benjamin. Of course, the brothers did not know that this ruler was really Joseph, their own brother.
\par In the end, Judah persuaded Jacob to let Benjamin go. Judah promised that he would protect Benjamin. And Judah would accept the blame if anything bad happened to Benjamin.
\par Jacob ordered the brothers to take a gift for the *Egyptian ruler. Then, Jacob *blessed them. And he prayed for them.
\par Wh
en the brothers arrived in Egypt, Joseph prepared a wonderful surprise for them. He wanted to show his kindness to them. And he wanted to show them how wealthy he was. So, he provided a great meal for them. Joseph showed special honour to Benjamin, who wa
s Joseph\rquote s closest brother.
\par But Joseph still did not tell his brothers who he really was. He wanted to test them first. In the past, they had been jealous, cruel and selfish. So now, Joseph needed to know whether their attitudes had changed.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 2 It is not possible to say how long this would be after the first journey. But it was probably the next year (Genesis 45:6). There were many people to feed. Each of Jacob\rquote
s sons had a family (except Benjamin). And they also had s
ervants and animals to feed. It would have been difficult for the brothers to take back large amounts of corn. They would have needed very many *donkeys. Jacob was trying to talk as if another journey to Egypt would be simple. Perhaps he was hoping that t
he brothers would go, without Benjamin. Maybe Jacob hoped that \lquote the man\rquote in Egypt had forgotten them. Jacob did not seem worried about Simeon.
\par Verses 3-5 Judah explained that the brothers would not return without Benjamin. They were too afraid of \lquote the man\rquote in Egypt. They thought that he would make them prisoners or slaves.
\par Verse 7 Joseph really asked these questions because he cared about his family. Of course he wanted to know whether his father was still alive. Of course he wanted to know about his younger brother.
\par Verse 8 Judah realised that the whole family would starve without food. So, he decided to accept personal responsibility for Benjamin. Judah was making a very serious promise to his father. Of course, anyone could speak such words. The real test
for Judah would be his actions when Benjamin was in danger. (See Genesis 44:33.)
\par People could not always trust Judah in the past (chapter 38). But Jacob trusted Judah now. Perhaps Jacob realised that Judah\rquote s attitudes had changed.
\par Verse 9 The *Hebrew text has \lquote I will be a surety for him\rquote . A \lquote surety\rquote meant that the person was willing to pay for someone else\rquote
s debt. It was a promise that the person definitely had to carry out. If the brothers stayed at home, they would all die because of hunger. That would include Benjamin.
\par Verse 11 Jacob made the final decision. He was the head of the family. And he was also acting as their priest. He prayed for them.
\par There were still special foods in Canaan. The merchants were taking such things to Egypt when Joseph\rquote s brothers sold him. Such foods were even more precious during a *famine.
\par Verse 12 Jacob advised his sons that they needed a humble attitude in this situation. Their lives were in danger. They could not succeed on this journey by any clever schemes. They had to pay their debts.
\par Verse 13 Jacob allowed Benjamin to go.
\par Verse 14 Jacob prayed for them and he *blessed them. He knew that there were great dangers during this journey.
\par Jacob\rquote s final words might seem to show despair. He thought that he might lose Benjamin. Jacob really loved Benjamin (Genesis 44:30-31). And Jacob cared about all his sons, although they caused him many troubles. But perhaps Jacob\rquote
s words do not really show despair. Perhaps Jacob realised that he had to trust God completely. So, Jacob told his sons not to worry about him.
\par Verse 15 Here we see a list of what the brothers took to Egypt. The writer puts Benjamin last in that list. Jacob did not send Benjamin because he wanted to do it.
\par Verse 16 Joseph felt special love toward Benjamin. Benjamin was Joseph\rquote s closest brother. They had the same mother, Rachel. And Rachel died at Benjamin\rquote
s birth. So, when Joseph saw Benjamin, Joseph wanted to show special kindness to him. At once, Joseph invited all his brothers to a special meal.
\par Verse 18 The brothers did not realise that Joseph was showing kindness to them. Instead, they were afraid. So, they remembered Jacob\rquote s advice that they needed to have a humble attitude.
\par Verse 19 Here the brothers were humble. They were not only humble towards Joseph himself, but they were also humble towards his servant!
\par Verses 20-22 The brothers offered all their silver to Joseph\rquote s servant. They wanted to pay for everything.
\par Verse 23 Joseph probably told the *steward what to say. God had been kind to them. So, they should not worry.
\par Then the *steward brought Simeon to them. The brothers would be very pleased to see Simeon again. And they were able to relax for their meal with Joseph.
\par Verse 24 These were the normal acts of kindness to show to travellers.
\par Verse 26 Again they *bowed down to Joseph! They would even call Jacob \lquote Joseph\rquote s servant\rquote (verse 28)!
\par Now the events of Joseph\rquote s dream in Genesis 37:7 really happened. Joseph\rquote s 11 brothers all showed him honour.
\par Verses 27-28 Joseph\rquote s first question was about his father. We can see that Joseph really cared about his father.
\par Verse 29 Joseph said to Benjamin, \lquote Let God be *merciful to you, my son.\rquote Perhaps Joseph seemed older than he actually was. He was a very important person. So it was right for him to call Benjamin \lquote my son\rquote . That wa
s a polite way for an older person to talk to a younger man.
\par Verse 30 Joseph\rquote s emotions felt too strong for him to control. So, he cried. But he had to cry in private. He was not yet ready to tell his brothers who he really was.
\par Verse 32 Perhaps the *Egyptians had this attitude because Joseph\rquote s brothers were *shepherds (Genesis 46:34). So, Joseph\rquote s brothers did not sit with the *Egyptians.
\par Verse 33 Joseph arranged for his brothers to sit in the order of their ages. This was a custom that showed honour to the older brothers. But this astonished the brothers. They could not explain how the *Egyptians knew the correct order.
\par Verse 34 Joseph\rquote s table would have the best food. The *steward passed this food to Joseph\rquote
s brothers. The *steward would serve the brothers in order. But there was too much food. So, Benjamin, the youngest brother, received much more food than anyone else. Joseph arranged this in order to show special kindness to Benjamin, whom Joseph loved.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 44
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph tests his brothers
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Joseph gave orders to the *steward of his house. Joseph told him, \lquote Fill the men\rquote s sacks with as much food as they can carry. And put each man\rquote s money back at the top of his sack.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had a special cup that someone had made from silver. Joseph then told the *steward, \lquote Put the cup at the top of the youngest brother\rquote
s sack. And put his money there too.\rquote The *steward did as Joseph ordered.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 As soon as daylight came, the *steward sent the brothers off with their *donkeys. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers were only a little way out of the city. Then Joseph told his *steward to go. Joseph told him to follow the brothers. He said, \lquote
Go faster than them, so you catch up with them. And, when you catch up with them, say, \'93You have done an evil thing, when we behaved well towards you. You have stolen my *lord\rquote s special cup that someone made from silver. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My *lord drinks from this cup. He also tries to discover things about the future from it. You did a wrong thing when you stole it.\'94 \rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward went faster than the brothers, so that he caught up with them. He said what Joseph had ordered. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers answered, \lquote My *lord should not say such things! We, his servants, would never do that thing. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Look! We brought back the money that we found in our sacks. We brought it even from Canaan. So we would not steal gold or silver from your *lord\rquote s house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Let us suppose that you find the cup with someone among us. Then that man shall die. The rest of us will be my *lord\rquote s slaves.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward said, \lquote Let it be as you say. The man who has the cup shall be my slave. The rest of you will be without blame.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then every man quickly lifted his sack and he put it on the ground. Each man opened his sack. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *steward searched. He started with the oldest brother and he finished with the youngest one. The *steward found the cup in Benjamin\rquote s sack. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the brothers tore their clothes. Each man loaded his *donkey and they all went back to the city.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph was still in his house when Judah and his brothers came back there. The brothers threw themselves to the ground in front of him. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to them, \lquote Why have you done this wrong thing? You should know that I am able to discover things.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah said, \lquote There is nothing t
hat we can say. We cannot say anything. We cannot prove that we did not steal. God has shown that your servants are guilty. Look! We are all my *lord\rquote s slaves. That includes the man that had the cup.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said, \lquote I could never do that. Only the man i
n whose hand you found the cup will become my slave. You other men can go in peace to your father.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Judah went near Joseph and Judah said this: \lquote
Oh my *lord, please let your servant speak freely to my *lord. Please do not be angry with your servant. You are as great as *Pharaoh himself. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
My *lord asked us, his servants, whether we had a father or a brother. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
We told my *lord that we have a father. He is an old man. We have a young brother. He was born to my father when my father was an old man. The boy\rquote s brother is dead. The boy is the only one that remains from his mother\rquote
s children. His father loves him very much.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then you asked your servants to bring our brother down to you, so that you could see him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We told my *lord that the boy could not leave his father. If the boy left him, his father would die. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then you said to us, your servants, \lquote You will never see me again if you do not bring down your youngest brother with you.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
We went back to my father, your servant. We told him what my *lord had said.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Our father asked us to go again, in order to buy a little food. Then we told him that we could not come down. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 We told him this: We could come down only if our youngest brother was with us. Then we could come down. We could not meet the man unless our youngest brother was with us.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then my father, your servant, said this to us: As we knew, his wife had two sons. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My father said that one son went out. He has never seen that son since. It was certain that an animal tore the son to pieces. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 My father told us this: If we took this son away, this son too might die. Then my father would be very sad. And that would cause him to die, since he is an old man. So in that way we, your servants, would have killed him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30-31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Therefor
e, let us suppose that I go back to your servant my father without the boy. Then my father will die, because he lives only for this boy. My father will die because he will be so sad. So in that way your servants will have killed our father, your servant.
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I, your servant, promised this to my father: I said, \'93If I do not bring the boy back to you, you can consider me guilty all my life.\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now therefore, please let me stay as my *lord\rquote s slave instead of the boy. Let the boy go home with his brothers. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I cannot go back to my father without the boy. I am afraid to see how much my father would suffer.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s plan to test his brothers was a simple plan. But it was also very clever.
\par In chapter 37, Jacob had given the *birthright to Joseph. Joseph\rquote s brothers were jealous and they hated him. So, they sold him to be a slave when they had the opportunity.
\par Now, Joseph would give his brothers the opportunity to make Benjamin a slave. Benjamin had become Jacob\rquote s favourite son. So, perhaps they were now jealous of Benjamin. Perhaps they wanted Benjamin to lose the *birthright too.
\par Joseph arranged the test well. The brothers really believed that the *Egyptians wanted to take Benjamin as a slave. And perhaps the brothers even thought that Benjamin deserved this, as a punishment.
\par In Genesis 43:9, Judah accepted responsibility for Benjamin\rquote s safety. Judah was the brother who actually sold Joseph as a slave. But now, Judah\rquote s attitudes had changed. Judah wanted to become a slave himself, so that Benjamin could be free.
So now, Judah was both noble and humble. He offered to lose everything in order to rescue his brother.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-4 Joseph wanted to pretend that Benjamin was a thief. Then, Joseph could see the reaction of the other brothers.
\par Verse 5 *Eg
yptians used to look into cups that they had just drunk from. They looked at the bottom of the cups. The wine would leave a pattern in the bottom of the cups. And the *Egyptians studied such patterns as a type of magic. A cup that someone used for that pu
r
pose would be very special. It would be much more important than an ordinary cup that people drank from. We do not think that Joseph really used his cup in that special way. God has told us not to do such things. Joseph continued to be loyal to God (Genes
is 45:5-8). Instead, we think that Joseph was pretending to use magic. His brothers used to serve *idols (Genesis 35:2). So, perhaps they would be afraid when Joseph spoke about magic.
\par Verses 7-8 The brothers were sure that they were innocent. They had even tried to return the silver that they found in their sacks after the first journey.
\par Verses 9-10 It was polite for the brothers to offer more than they needed to. And it was polite for the *steward to refuse their offer.
\par Verse 12 This happened in the order of their ages, as in Genesis 43:33. Of course, this meant that the *steward looked in Benjamin\rquote s sack last.
\par Verse 13 Usually, when people tore their clothes, they were very sad and very anxious. In that way, they were showing how bad they felt. This was the custom when a relative died. So, the brothers were acting as if Benjamin would die.
\par Verse 14 Judah was the
leader of the brothers at that time because of his promise (Genesis 43:9). Earlier they had *bowed, because they respected Joseph. This time, they threw themselves to the ground. They did that because they were afraid. And they wanted *mercy.
\par Verse 15 We do not think that Joseph really used magic. He was using these words because of the effect that they would have on his brothers.
\par Verse 16 We do not know what Judah thought. Possibly he might have thought that Benjamin had really stolen the cup. But maybe J
udah meant something else. Perhaps God was punishing the brothers because they had done evil things in their lives. Or perhaps God was punishing them because of what they had done to Joseph. Judah did not know that the whole situation was part of God
\rquote s plan.
\par Judah was very humble. He did not try to argue with Joseph. And Judah was polite. He again offered that all the brothers would suffer the punishment together. But, unlike in verse 9, he did not offer that Benjamin might die. Judah had promised to look a
fter Benjamin.
\par Judah did not agree that the magic had proved Benjamin to be guilty. Instead, Judah said that God knew the truth. We do not know whether Judah really understood this.
\par Verse 17 Joseph was testing the brothers. He wanted to discover what they
would do. Possibly the other brothers might leave Benjamin, so that they could save themselves. Joseph would discover whether they would do that. Or perhaps they would risk their own lives in order to save Benjamin.
\par Verse 18 Judah might have said nothing. Then, he and his brothers would be free. Only Benjamin would remain in Egypt, as a slave. In the past, Judah would have done that. But now his attitudes had changed.
\par Verses 19-26 Judah explained the events in chapters 42 and 43.
\par Verse 27 Judah was speaking as if Jacob had only one wife, Rachel. That would mean that Judah\rquote
s own mother (Leah) was a *concubine. And it would mean that Joseph always deserved the *birthright. If Joseph were dead, Benjamin would have the *birthright.
\par Verse 28 Judah thought that Joseph was dead (verse 20). But it seems that Jacob still had hope. However, he did not deny the evidence that the brothers had produced.
\par Verse 29-31 Joseph often asked the brothers about their father. And it seems that the *Egyptians respected old people (Genesis 47:8-9). So, Judah asked Joseph to save Benjamin because otherwise Jacob would suffer.
\par Verse 32 Judah told Joseph about Judah\rquote s promise in Genesis 43:9. Now, Judah would do what he had promised to do. And Judah would do it, although it would ruin his own life.
\par Verses 33-34 Judah asked to become Joseph\rquote s slave so that Benjamin could go free. Judah thought that he himself would never be a free man again. He showed great courage.
\par When Joseph heard this, he could not control his emotions. At last, the time had come for Joseph to tell his brothers who he really was.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 45
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\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph says who he is
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Then Joseph could not stay calm any longer. Many people were standing near him. He cried out, \lquote Make everyone go away from me!\rquote So there was nobody there when Joseph told his brothers. He told them who he was. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He wept aloud. The *Egyptians heard him and the people in *Pharaoh\rquote s *household heard him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to his brothers, \lquote I am Joseph. Is my father really still alive?\rquote His brothers could not answer
him. They were very fearful to be with him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph said to his brothers, \lquote Please come close to me. I am your brother Joseph. You sold me into Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And now, do not be anxious. Do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here. God sent me ahead of you to save people\rquote s lives. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There has been a *famine in this country for two years now. There will be *famine for 5 more years. During that time, nobody will plough or harvest. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God sent me ahead of you. Then I could keep some people still alive on the earth for you. I could help many people to stay alive.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 It was not you that sent me here. But it was God. God has made me like a father to *Pharaoh. I am the *lord over all *Pharaoh\rquote
s *household. And I am the ruler over all the country called Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Hurry back to my father and tell him this: \'93
Your son Joseph tells you that God has made him *lord over all Egypt. He wants you to come down to him immediately. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
He wants you to live in the region called Goshen. You will be near him there. Bring your children and grandchildren. Bring your *flocks and *herds. And bring everything that you own. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph will take care of you there. There will still be 5 more years with *famine. If you do not come, you might become very poor. That includes you and your *household. And it includes all those that belong to you.\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now I am speaking to you with my own mouth. You can see that with your own eyes and my brother Benjamin can see it. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You must tell my father about all the great honour that I have in Egypt. Tell him everything that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph hugged his brother Benjamin and Joseph wept. Benjamin, too, wept in Joseph\rquote s arms. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph kissed all his brothers and he wept over them. Then his brothers talked with him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The people in *Pharaoh\rquote s *household heard the news that Joseph\rquote s brothers had come. *Pharaoh and his servants were very happy. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh said to Joseph, \lquote Tell your brothers to do this. Tell them to load their animals. And tell them to go back to the country called Canaan.
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Let them fetch their father and let them fetch the people in their *households. And let them come to me. I will give to them the best part of this country, Egypt. They shall eat the best food that the land in Egypt produces.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Tell them to do this too. Tell them to take wagons from this country, Egypt. They will need them for their young children and wives. Tell them to fetch their father. And tell them to come. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 They need not worry about their goods. The best things in all this country called Egypt are theirs.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel\rquote s sons did that. Joseph gave wagons to them, exactly as *Pharaoh ordered. Joseph gave food to them for their journey. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He also gave special clothes to them. He gave to Benjamin 300 *shekels of silver. And he gave 5 special long coats to Benjamin. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph sent things for his father. Joseph loaded 10 *donkeys with good things from Egypt. He loaded 10 female *donkeys with corn, bread and other food for his father\rquote s journey.
}{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph sent his brothers away. As they were leaving, he said to them, \lquote Do not quarrel on the journey.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So the brothers went up out of Egypt. And they came back to their father Jacob in the country called Canaan. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The brothers told Jacob that Joseph was still alive. They said that Joseph was ruling over the country called Egypt. Jacob was very anxious. He did not believe the brothers. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But they told Jacob all that Joseph had said. The brothers showed the wagons to Jacob. Joseph had sent those wagons to carry Jacob. Then the brothers
\rquote father Jacob (also called Israel) became more cheerful. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel said, \lquote
I need nothing else. My son Joseph is still alive. I shall go. And then I shall see him before I die.\rquote
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had t
o pretend that he was someone else. He did that in order to test his brothers. But now, Judah had shown that their attitudes had changed. In the end, Joseph could not control his emotions. He had to cry. And he wanted to hug his brothers. So, he quickly o
rdered his servants to leave the room.
\par Even when Joseph spoke to his brothers in their own language, they could not immediately recognise him. And they were afraid of him. But Joseph\rquote s words helped them to feel more confiden
t. Joseph was not angry with his brothers. He forgave them. He believed that, in fact, God sent him (Joseph) to Egypt. God sent Joseph there to save lives. And now, Joseph was able to save his own family from the terrible *famine.
\par *Pharaoh was pleased to hear that Joseph\rquote s brothers had come from Canaan. *Pharaoh wanted the whole family to live in Egypt. *Pharaoh even sent wagons so that the weaker members of the family could travel to Egypt more easily.
\par The news from Egypt astonished Jacob. But, when he saw the wagons, he believed. He knew that God had been kind to Joseph. And Jacob saw that the events in Joseph\rquote
s dreams (Genesis 37:7-9) really happened. Jacob could remember the promises that God gave about his family (Genesis 35:11-12). So, Jacob was confident that God would do these things too. These things would happen after Jacob\rquote
s death, but Jacob still believed (Hebrews 11:21; Hebrews 11:13). But now, Jacob would go to see Joseph again. And, during the journey, God would speak to Jacob again (Genesis 46:3-4).
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\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Verse 1 Joseph wanted this to be a special time that he could spend with his family. He wanted to take away anything that was between his brothers and himself. For them, he was their *Hebrew brother. Although he was also an impor
tant *Egyptian ruler, he need to be with his own family now.
\par Judah had shown that the brothers had changed. They were not willing to leave Benjamin in order to save themselves.
\par Verse 2 Joseph wept. We can imagine his feelings of delight and relief.
\par Joseph tried to make this meeting private. Perhaps he was unsure what the *Egyptians would think about his family. But in fact, everybody heard that Joseph\rquote s family had arrived. Even *Pharaoh heard. And *Pharaoh was very pleased.
\par Verse 3 Joseph asked again about his father. That showed again his love for his father. Judah had made it clear that the father was very weak.
\par In some translations, the brothers were \lquote dumbfounded\rquote . It means that they could not speak. And they could not do anything. That was because they were so surprised, afraid and confused!
\par Verse 4 Joseph was a very great ruler. His visitors usually stood at a distance in order to give honour to him. But he wanted his brothers to come closer. They needed to recognise him. And he wanted to hug them.
\par Verses 5-8 Joseph knew that God had controlled his (Joseph\rquote s) life. He mentions God many times in these verses.
\par In verse 8, a \lquote father to *Pharaoh\rquote meant someone that advised *Pharaoh. It meant someone that helped *Pharaoh. It had no connection with age. And it had no connection with relatives in a family.
\par Verses 9-11 Joseph wanted his father and the whole family to come to Egypt. Then, Joseph could look after them during the *famine.
\par Verse 12 Here Joseph was speaking *Hebrew to his brothers. He was not speaking in the *Egyptian language.
\par Verse 13 Joseph wanted his father to hear how much God had *blessed Joseph.
\par Verses 14-15 This was a very happy meeting. It was the custom for relatives to hug and to kiss. These actions showed that Joseph loved his brothers. The brothers had not met Joseph for nearly 20 years, until they saw him in Egypt.
\par Verse 16 People in Egypt liked Joseph very much. Everyone was pleased about his family.
\par Verses 17-20 *Pharaoh was very generous. He did everything possible to bring the whole family to Egypt. He did not even want them to bring their possessions from Canaan. *Pharaoh could provide much better things for them in Egypt.
\par Verse 21 Joseph sent his brothers back to Canaan. He told them to bring the entire family back to Egypt.
\par Verse 22 Joseph gave new clothes to his brothers. They had torn their clothes when Joseph\rquote s *steward arrested Benjamin (Genesis 44:13).
\par Verse 24 In the *Hebrew text, Joseph told his brothers not to \lquote tremble\rquote . In other words, they should keep their emotions calm. It
may mean that they should not be afraid or anxious. And they should not accuse each other. They should be friendly to each other.
\par Verses 25-26 At first, Jacob did not believe the news. The brothers had to show him the wagons that *Pharaoh sent.
\par Verse 27 Ja
cob had been sad about Joseph since the events in Genesis 37:34-35. And Jacob thought that those terrible feelings would never leave him. Only Benjamin was able to comfort Jacob (Genesis 44:30-31). But the wonderful news about Joseph changed everything fo
r Jacob. At last, Jacob\rquote s spirit felt strong again. Jacob was excited. He wanted to go to see Joseph at once.
\par Verse 28 The writer suddenly calls Jacob by his other name, \lquote Israel\rquote . This was the special name that God gave to Jacob (Genesis 32:28). The writer uses this name to emphasise Jacob\rquote s relationship (friendship) with God. Jacob\rquote
s (Israel\rquote s) family was starting to grow into the nation called Israel. And the families that belonged to that nation would live in Egypt for over 400 years.
\par Jacob said that he would see Joseph before his (Jacob\rquote s) death. These might seem like sad words, but they are not. Jacob meant that his life\rquote
s work was complete. God had done everything that Jacob hoped. God had even returned Joseph, who seemed dead, to Jacob. So, Jacob was n
ot worried about the future. Jacob needed nothing else to make him content. And he would be content for the rest of his life.
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\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 46
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\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The whole family in Egypt
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So Israel set off. He took everything that he had. And he went to Beersheba. He made *sacrifices to the God of his father Isaac.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God spoke to Israel during the night. He spoke to Israel in *visions. He said, \lquote Jacob, Jacob.\rquote
\par So Jacob said, \lquote Here I am.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then God said, \lquote I am God, your father\rquote s God. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt. I will make you into a great nation there. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I will go down to Egypt with you. I will also bring you back up here. And Joseph will close your eyes when you die.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob went away from Beersheba. Israel\rquote
s sons carried their family in the wagons. They carried their father Jacob, their young children and their wives. *Pharaoh had sent the wagons to Jacob for his journey. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 The sons also took their animals. And they took all that they owned. They had got all that in the country called Canaan. So Jacob and all his family came into Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob had with him his sons and his grandsons. He had his daughters and his granddaughters. Jacob brought all his family with him into Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 These are the names of Israel\rquote s family who came into Egypt. That is, Jacob and his sons. Reuben was Jacob\rquote
s oldest son. Reuben was born first.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Reuben\rquote s sons were Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Simeon\rquote s sons were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar and Shaul. Shaul was the son of a *Canaanite woman.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Levi\rquote s sons were Gershon, Kohath and Merari.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah\rquote s sons were Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez and Zerah. (Er and Onan died in the country called Canaan.) The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Issachar\rquote s sons were Tola, Phuvah, Job and Shimron.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Zebulun\rquote s sons were Sered, Elon and Jahleel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Those were Leah\rquote s sons. She gave birth to them for Jacob. They were born in Paddan-Aram, as well as his daughter Dinah. Those sons and daugh
ters, who were born for Jacob, were 33 in total.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Gad\rquote s sons were Ziphion, Haggi, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi and Areli.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Asher\rquote s sons were Imnah, Ishvah, Ishvi and Beriah. They also had a sister Serah. Beriah\rquote s sons were Heber and Malchiel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Those were the sons of Zilpah. She gave birth to them for Jacob. Those *descendants were 16 in total. Laban had given Zilpah to his daughter Leah.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The sons of Jacob\rquote s wife Rachel were Joseph and Benjamin. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had two sons in the country called Egypt. They were Manasseh and Ephraim. Their mother was Asenath, Potiphera\rquote s daughter. Potiphera was the priest in the city called On.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Benjamin\rquote s sons were Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Ehi, Rosh, Muppim, Huppim and Ard.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Those were Rachel\rquote s sons. She gave birth to them for Jacob. The *descendants from Rachel were 14 in total.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Dan\rquote s son was Hushim.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Naphtali\rquote s sons were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 (Those were the sons of Bilhah. She gave birth to them for Jacob. The *descendants f
rom Bilhah were 7 in total. Laban had given Bilhah to his daughter Rachel.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 66 *descendants went down to Egypt with Jacob. They came from his body. That total did not include his sons\rquote wives, who also went with him. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had two sons. They were born to him in Egypt. So in total, that makes 70. Those 70 people in Jacob\rquote s family had gone down to Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob sent Judah ahead to Joseph. So then Joseph could show the way to the region called Goshen. So the family came into that region, Goshen. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Joseph made his *chariot ready. And he went up to Goshen to meet his father Israel. Joseph came to his father. He hugged his father. And he wept for a long time on his father\rquote s neck.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel said to Joseph, \lquote Now I am ready to die. Now I have seen your face. And I know that you are still alive.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph told his brothers and his father\rquote s family that he (Joseph) would go to *Pharaoh. And he would tell *Pharaoh this. He would say that his (Joseph\rquote
s) brothers and his father\rquote s family had come from the country called Canaan. They had come to Joseph. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Joseph said that he would tell *Pharaoh this. He would say that the men were *shepherds and they worked with animals. Jacob\rquote s family had brought their animals. And they had brought everything that they had. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph told his brothers what to say to *Pharaoh. *Pharaoh would call for them. Then he would ask them what work they did. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v34}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph told them this. \lquote Say, \'93Your servants have looked after animals since they were young until now. Both we and our *ancestors looked after animals.\'94
Then you will be able to live in Goshen. The *Egyptians hate all *shepherds.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 On the way to Egypt, Jacob stopped at Beersheba. Beersh
eba was a special place for Jacob. There, God had spoken to his father, Isaac (Genesis 26:24). Isaac had gone to Beersheba because God told him not to go to Egypt (Genesis 26:2). But God\rquote s message to Jacob was different.
\par In a dream, God spoke to Jacob. God told Jacob not to be afraid to go into Egypt. God had a plan for Jacob\rquote s family in Egypt.
\par The chapter then contains a list of Jacob\rquote s sons and grandsons. The numbers are difficult to calculate. But the final figure is 70 people. This was a very large fami
ly. In time, the family would become a great nation. God had promised Abraham that he (Abraham) would have very many *descendants (Genesis 15:5). God made this promise before Abraham had his son. And Jacob was Abraham\rquote s grandson.
\par Jacob and Joseph were very
happy to see each other again. Joseph knew that Jacob would encourage him. Joseph still had his important work to do for *Pharaoh. Until now, Joseph was probably the only person in Egypt who served the real God. The *Egyptians served *idols. But now Jose
ph had Jacob to support him.
\par Joseph arranged a place where his brothers could work. They would continue to be *shepherds. So, they would not become rulers. But Joseph continued his important work for *Pharaoh.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-4 Jacob was plann
ing to leave Canaan and he would go to Egypt. But Canaan was actually the country that God had promised to Jacob and his family. So Jacob needed to be sure that God wanted him to leave it. Jacob was probably very anxious. He very much wanted to see Joseph
. But Jacob was old. And it was a long way to travel. However, the family might all starve if they did not go to Egypt. Jacob needed to know what God wanted.
\par So, Jacob stopped in order to pray at Beersheba. That night, God spoke again to Jacob. God promised to make Jacob\rquote
s family into a big nation in Egypt (verse 3). Here God was not talking about Canaan, the country that he had promised to them. In Egypt, the family would not only stay alive. It would also grow. But God did not want the family always to liv
e in Egypt. Centuries later, God would arrange for their *descendants to return to Canaan.
\par Verses 5-7 Jacob\rquote s family continued their journey. The weaker members of the family used the wagons that *Pharaoh sent. They took everything that they owned.
\par Verses 8-14 The writer gives a list of Leah\rquote s family first. He gives a list of her sons and grandsons. Leah was Jacob\rquote s first wife.
\par Verse 15 Leah\rquote s \lquote sons\rquote include also her grandsons. But the 33 people here probably do not include Er and Onan. Those two grandsons
had died already in Canaan. They did not go to Egypt. But without Er and Onan, there are still only 32 *descendants. Those 32 include the daughter, called Dinah. So it is possible that the 33 people here include also Jacob, the father.
\par Verses 16-18 These are the sons and grandsons of Jacob and Zilpah. Zilpah was Leah\rquote s maid. Zilpah became Jacob\rquote s *concubine.
\par Verses 19-22 These are the sons and grandsons of Jacob and Rachel. Rachel was Jacob\rquote s favourite wife.
\par The list in this chapter contains Jacob\rquote s whole family. At that time Benjamin was probably too young to have 10 children. The writer mentions Benjamin\rquote s family here to make the list complete.
\par Verses 22-25 These are the sons and grandsons of Jacob and Bilhah. Bilhah was Rachel\rquote s maid. Bilhah became Jacob\rquote s *concubine.
\par Verses 26-27 The 66 people in verse 26 were Jacob\rquote s sons, grandsons and daughter. They went to Egypt with Jacob. Joseph and his two sons were already in Egypt. The 70 people in verse 27 include also them as well as Jacob himself. The number 7
0 in the Bible often has a special meaning. It means that something is complete.
\par Verse 28 Judah had been the leader of the brothers when they sold Joseph. Here, he was the leader when they brought Joseph and Jacob together again.
\par Verses 29-30 As soon as possible, Joseph went to see his father. They were very pleased to be together again. Jacob\rquote
s words in verse 30 meant that his life felt complete. He had done everything that he needed to do. But in fact, God had more work for Jacob. Jacob would *bless *Phar
aoh (Genesis 47:7-10). And Jacob would *bless each of his sons by a special *prophecy (chapter 49).
\par Verses 31-32 God\rquote s plan was that Jacob\rquote s family should live together as a nation. The *Egyptians did not like *shepherds. So Jacob\rquote s family did not live in
different places among the *Egyptians. The family was able to live together in one place.
\par Verse 34 Egypt had a very strong culture and an ancient religion. So, the *Egyptians had strong opinions about other people. Perhaps the *Egyptians did not like *shepherds because they travelled from place to place.
\par Joseph was a ruler in Egypt. But he did not want his brothers to work in the government. Instead, he decided that they should continue to be *shepherds. Then, they could live in the region called Goshen. Go
shen was near Egypt. But Joseph did not want them to live in the important cities in Egypt. He knew that their decisions had not always been sensible in the past. He was careful in case they made any more mistakes. Joseph was a very capable ruler.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 47
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph works well for his master *Pharaoh
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp40 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Joseph went in to *Pharaoh. Joseph told *Pharaoh that his father and brothers had come from the country called Canaan. They had brought their animals. And they had brought everything that they had. They were there in the region called Goshen. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph chose 5 men from all his brothers and he brought those 5 brothers to *Pharaoh.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh said to Joseph\rquote s brothers, \lquote What do you do to live?\rquote
\par They replied to *Pharaoh, \lquote Your servants are *shepherds, as our fathers were.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the brothers said to *Pharaoh, \lquote
We have come to stay in this country. We, your servants, have no land and we have no food for our animals. In the country called Canaan, the *famine is very great. Please, we ask you to let us, your servants, live in the region called Goshen.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh said to Joseph, \lquote Your father and your brothers have come to you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 This country, Egypt, is in front of you. Let your father and your brothers go to live in the best part of the country. Let them
live in the region called Goshen. You may know whether there are capable men among them. If so, appoint them to take care of my animals.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph brought his father Jacob in to *Pharaoh, and Jacob *blessed *Pharaoh. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1
\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then *Pharaoh said to Jacob, \lquote How old are you?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob replied to *Pharaoh, \lquote
I have lived for 130 years. My years have been few and they have been evil. I have not had such a good life as my fathers had on their journeys.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Jacob *blessed *Pharaoh. And he went out from where *Pharaoh was.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Joseph let his father and brothers live there in Egypt. He gave some land to them to live on. It was the best land in the region called Rameses, as *Pharaoh had ordered. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph gave food to his father, his brothers and his father\rquote s entire family. He gave as much as the families needed.
\par }\pard \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0 {\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 However, there was no food in all the country. The *famine was very great. People in the countries called Egypt and Canaan were dying because of the *famine. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph gathered all the money that wa
s in those countries, Egypt and Canaan. That was the money that people had paid for the corn. Joseph took the money to *Pharaoh\rquote s house. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Soon no money remained in those countries, in Egypt and Canaan. All the *Egyptians came to Joseph. And they said, \lquote Give food to us. Otherwise we will die in front of you because we have no more money. And that would not be sensible.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph replied, \lquote You have no money. So give your animals to me. I will give food to you, if you give your animals to me. \lquote }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So the *Egyptians brought their animals to Joseph. Joseph gave food to them, because they gave to him their horses, *flocks, *herds and *donkeys. Joseph gave food to the *Egyptians for that year because they had given their animals to him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When that year was over, the *Egyptians came to Joseph. They said, \lquote
My *lord, we cannot pretend that we have money. Our animals already belong to my *lord. We have nothing for my *lord except our bodies and our land. Nothing else remains. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Otherwise we shall die i
n front of you. That means both us and our land. Please buy us and buy our land. Give food to us. Then we, as slaves, will belong to *Pharaoh. And so will our land. Give seed to us. Then we can live and we will not die. Then the land will not be without c
rops.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for *Pharaoh. All the *Egyptians sold their fields. They were suffering very much because of the *famine. So the land became *Pharaoh\rquote s land. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph made all the people slaves, from one end of Egypt to the other end. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Joseph bought all the land except the priests\rquote land. The priests received a particular, definite amount of food regularly from *Pharaoh. They lived on what *Pharaoh gave to them. So the priests did not sell their land.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph said to the people, \lquote
Look! Today I have bought you for *Pharaoh. And I have bought your land for *Pharaoh. Now, as a payment, I am giving seed to you. You shall sow it on the land. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 You shall harvest your crops. Then you must give a fifth (1/5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \super\insrsid16530303 th}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ) of the ha
rvest to *Pharaoh. Four fifths (4/5ths) will be yours. That will be seed for the field. And it will be food for yourselves, your families and your children.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The people said, \lquote You have saved our lives. Let my *lord be kind to us. We will be *Pharaoh\rquote s slaves.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph made a law. It was a law for a long time in that country, Egypt. In that law, *Pharaoh should have one fifth of all crops. Only the priests
\rquote land did not become *Pharaoh\rquote s land.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Israel\rquote s family lived in the country called Egyp
t, in the region called Goshen. They owned things there. They were *fruitful and they had very many children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob lived in that country, Egypt, for 17 years. So Jacob lived for 147 years in total. He lived for all the days in all those years. }{\rtlch\fcs1
\ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The time came for Israel to die. Then he called his son Joseph to him. He said to Joseph, \lquote
Please be kind to me. Please put your hand under my *thigh. Promise me that you will be loyal and true to me. Do not bury me in Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Please let me lie with my father and grandfather. Carry me out of Egypt. Bury me where people buried my father and grandfather.\rquote
\par Joseph answered, \lquote I will do as you have said.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob said, \lquote Make a very serious promise to me that you will do so.\rquote So Joseph made a very serious promis
e. Then Israel *bowed down upon the head of his bed.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The right time came for Joseph to introduce his family to *Pharaoh. Joseph chose 5 brothers (on behalf of the whole family) to meet *Pharaoh. Then, Joseph introduced his father, Jacob, to *Pharaoh.
\par *Pharaoh respected Jacob because Jacob was a very old man. And *Pharaoh also gave honour to Jacob because of Joseph\rquote s importance. *Pharaoh realised that Jacob, like Joseph, was a holy man.
\par Jacob explained to *Pharaoh that he (Jacob) did not consider himself a g
reat man. Jacob referred to the lives of Abraham and Isaac. Jacob believed that they were really great men. He said that life on earth was like a journey. Perhaps he was desiring his permanent home in heaven (Hebrews 11:16). Then, Jacob *blessed *Pharaoh.
\par Afterwards, *Pharaoh became much more important as a ruler. This happened because of Joseph\rquote s great skill. He bought the land in Egypt for *Pharaoh. And Joseph also arranged regular taxes that made *Pharaoh much more wealthy.
\par At the end of the chapter, Jac
ob was very old. Soon, he would die. So, he called Joseph. Jacob asked Joseph to promise to bury him (Jacob) in Canaan. Jacob wanted his *descendants to realise that Egypt was not their permanent home. Instead, God had promised Canaan to them. Joseph made
the promise. In fact, Joseph would ask his own *descendants to make a similar promise about his own body, too.
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\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 2 Joseph took only 5 brothers to *Pharaoh. Joseph did not take them all. We do not know how he chose those 5 brothers. In the *Hebrew text, Joseph chose them \lquote from the edge\rquote
. It means that he chose from all the brothers. Perhaps he took the most impressive ones, so that *Pharaoh would want such people in Egypt. Or perhaps he took the weaker ones, so that *Pharaoh would not
take them into the government. God has not told us the reason why Joseph chose those 5 brothers. So we do not need to know why.
\par Verse 3 The brothers answered as Joseph had told them in Genesis 46:33-34.
\par Verse 4 We do not know exactly where Goshen was. It was probably on the east side of the Nile.
\par Verse 6 *Pharaoh was very kind. He did not behave towards Jacob and his family as if they were strangers. *Pharaoh received them with pleasure. He had this attitude because of Joseph. Joseph had *blessed *Pharaoh. So, *Pharaoh wanted to *bless Joseph
\rquote s family.
\par Verse 7 Jacob *blessed *Pharaoh. God was doing as he had promised. He was *blessing other people by means of Jacob and his family. Usually, the more important person *blessed the less important one. However,
Jacob was an old man and therefore he was important. The \lquote *blessing\rquote may have been a greeting, \lquote Let God be with you.\rquote Or \lquote I hope that you will live for a long time.\rquote Jacob was grateful for *Pharaoh\rquote
s kindness.
\par Verse 8 In the *Hebrew Bible, *Pharaoh asks, \lquote How many are the days of the years of your life?\rquote That makes Jacob seem very old.
\par Verses 9-10 Jacob said, \lquote I have lived.\rquote For \lquote lived\rquote , he used a certain *Hebrew word that he often used. That word means \lquote to live in a temporary home\rquote , \lquote to camp\rquote or \lquote to travel\rquote
. It does not mean that he always lived in one place. It is the opposite of that.
\par Jacob said that the years in his life had been \lquote few and evil\rquote . He was not quite as old as Abraham or Isaac. But they, too, had many difficulties during their lives. Jacob wa
s trying to emphasise that his life was not perfect. He had made many mistakes. But he was aware of God\rquote
s greatness. God lives always. And God never does anything wrong. So, Jacob *blessed *Pharaoh. In other words, Jacob prayed that God would be kind to *Pharaoh.
\par Verse 11 The \lquote region called Rameses\rquote may be a name that people gave later to the region called Goshen. Or it may have been another name for Goshen already. The name meant \lquote Ra has created it\rquote
. (Ra was a god that the *Egyptians *worshipped.)
\par Verse 13 The *famine would continue for 5 more years (Genesis 45:6). This was a very long *famine. But Joseph had stored the excess food from the years before the *famine began.
\par Verses 14-15 Joseph was very honest. He was also a very good, careful official. At the start of the *famine, people used money to pay for their food. But the people ran out of money to buy food.
\par Verses 16-19 As the *famine continued, people had no money to pay for their food. But Joseph was very wise. He fed the people so that they did not
die. They paid for the corn with their animals (verse 17). The people also paid with their land (verse 20). And they paid with themselves, as they became slaves (verse 21). They did it so that they did not owe anything to Joseph. Joseph also took good car
e of what belonged to *Pharaoh, his master.
\par Verses 20-24 After that, all the land belonged to *Pharaoh. So then it was easier to make sure that people used it well. Then, there would not be frequent *famines. It was not bad to be a slave. The master fed his
slaves. Some slaves had important jobs. When Joseph was a slave, he had an important job with Potiphar. The people would have four fifths of future harvests. So really, the effect was that the people were paying taxes.
\par Verse 25 The people were not angry about Joseph\rquote s taxes. They knew that he saved their lives by his careful plans. So, they were grateful to Joseph and to *Pharaoh. People respect governments that look after them carefully.
\par Verse 26 In the *Hebrew Bible, the writer says that Joseph\rquote s law \lquote remains at this day\rquote . \lquote This day\rquote means the day when the writer wrote the account.
\par Verse 27 God did as he had promised. Jacob\rquote s family became rich and his sons had many children.
\par Verse 28 Joseph lived with Jacob for 17 years before the brothers sold Joseph. Here, Jacob lived near Joseph for another 17 years. That was the last part of Jacob\rquote s life.
\par Verses 29-30 \lquote Israel\rquote is Jacob\rquote s name as the head of the family. The family would become a nation called \lquote Israel\rquote . Before Jacob\rquote s request, he said, \lquote Please be kind to me.\rquote The *Hebrew writer says,
\lquote If now you look at me with a kind attitude\rquote . Jacob wanted people to take his body to Canaan when he died. That was the country that God had promised to him. So Jacob trusted that God woul
d take the family back to Canaan. Jacob needed to remind his family that God would do that. Egypt was not their home.
\par Verse 31 Joseph had to do what Jacob wanted. So Joseph needed to make a very serious promise. Joseph needed to be very careful to do that.
We do not know exactly what this verse means. Jacob may have *bowed because he was thanking God. Or he may have been very weak and tired. The *Hebrew text may mean that Jacob leaned on the head of his stick. It may not have been the head of the bed. We k
now that Jacob was a weak old man. He was grateful to God that he (Jacob) was content before his death.
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\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s *blessing for Joseph\rquote s sons
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After that, Joseph heard that his father was ill. So Joseph took his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, with him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Jacob heard also that his son Joseph had come to him. Then Israel used all his strength and he sat up in bed.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob said this to Joseph. \lquote The *Almighty God appeared in front of me at Luz. That is in the country called Canaan. And he *blessed me. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 God said to me, \'93
Look! I will make you rich and you will have a large family. I will make your family into very many nations. I will give this country to your *descendants. They will have it for always.\'94
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Now your two sons shall be mine. They
were born to you in this country, Egypt. That was before I came here. Then I came to you here in Egypt. Ephraim and Manasseh shall be my sons, as Reuben and Simeon are. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After these two sons, other children may be born to you. Any other children shall be yours. They will share the country that God has promised to their brothers. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 When I came from Paddan, Rachel died on the way. She died in the country called Canaan. We were still some miles from Ephrath. That made me very sad. I buried her there on the
way to Ephrath. (That is, Bethlehem.)\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel saw Joseph\rquote s sons. Then Israel said, \lquote Who are these?\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph replied to his father, \lquote They are my sons, whom God has given to me here.\rquote
\par Then Israel said, \lquote Please bring them to me so that I can *bless them.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Because Israel was old, his eyes were weak. He could not see clearly. So Joseph brought his sons near to Israel. Israel kissed them and he hugged them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel said to Joseph, \lquote I thought that I would never see your face again. Now God has let me see your children as well.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph took his sons from near Israel\rquote s knees and Joseph *bowed low to the ground. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303
v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph then took both his sons. Joseph had Ephraim in his right hand, at Israel\rquote s left side. And Joseph had Manasseh in his left hand, at Israel\rquote
s right side. Joseph led his sons near to Israel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Then Israel put his hands across each other. He stretched out his right hand and he put it on Ephraim\rquote s head. Ephraim was the younger son. Then Israel put his left hand on Manasseh\rquote
s head. Manasseh was the oldest son, the one that was born first.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Israel *blessed Joseph. And Israel said, \lquote
This God is the God in whose sight my fathers Abraham and Isaac lived. This God has led me all my life, even until today. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *angel of God
has *redeemed me from all evil things. Let God *bless these boys. I pray that because of them, people will continue to remember my name. And they will continue to remember the name of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac. Let the boys grow. Let them
become a great crowd in the middle of the earth.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s father had laid his right hand on Ephraim\rquote s head. Joseph was unhappy when he saw that. He took his father\rquote
s hand. And Joseph tried to move it from Ephraim\rquote s head to Manasseh\rquote s head. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to his father, \lquote
This is not right, my father. This son is the oldest. He was born first. Put your right hand upon his head.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Joseph\rquote s father refused. And he said, \lquote I know, my son. I know. The oldest son, who was born first, shall also become t
he father of a nation. He too will be great. But his younger brother will be greater than he is. The younger brother\rquote s *descendants will become very many nations.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Israel *blessed them that day. And he said,
\par \lquote Israel (the *Israelites) will use your names to *bless people. They will say, \'93Let God make you like Ephraim and Manasseh.\'94 \rquote
\par So Israel considered Ephraim more important than Manasseh.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Israel said to Joseph, \lquote Look! I am dying, but God will be with you. He will bring you back to your father\rquote s and grandfather\rquote
s country. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Also, I have given to you a slope of a mountain. I have not given that to your brothers. I took that slope out of the *Amorites\rquote
possession, with my sword and my bow.\rquote
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *blessings that Jacob gave to his family start in this chapter. These *blessings were not just Jacob\rquote
s own ideas about his sons and grandsons. In fact, the *blessings were *prophecies about the future. Jacob spoke these things by the power of God\rquote s Holy Spirit.
\par Many of Jacob\rquote s *blessings are difficult for us to understand. Some phrases have several possible meanings. But we need to remember that the *descendants of Jacob\rquote
s 12 sons became the 12 *tribes of Israel. So, often the words in the *blessing describe the places where the *tribes would live in Canaan.
\par The *blessings were also a type of poetry. They use descriptions that may seem strange to us today. And they often repeat the same ideas in different words.
\par Jacob began with his *blessings for Joseph\rquote s sons. Joseph received the *birthright because of Reuben\rquote s *sin (1 Chronicles 5:1-2). So, Jacob gave a special *blessing to Joseph\rquote
s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob wanted people to include Ephraim and Manasseh when they made lists of his (Jacob\rquote s) sons. So, the *descendants of Ephraim became another *
tribe of Israel. So did the *descendants of Manasseh. And the *descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh would receive their own land in Canaan (Joshua chapters 16 and 17).
\par The writer often uses Jacob\rquote s other name, Israel, in this chapter.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 Isaac gave his final *blessing to his sons when he expected to die (Genesis 27:2). That *blessing was very important. It included *prophecies about the future.
\par So, when Jacob was old and ill, Joseph went to receive his father\rquote s *blessing. There would be a special *blessing for Joseph because he had the *birthright (1 Chronicles 5:2). And Joseph probably hoped that God would give a *prophecy to Jacob.
\par It seems that Joseph also wanted his own sons to receive a *blessing. They had lived a very strange life. Their mother\rquote
s father was the priest of a false god (Genesis 41:45). They had always lived in Egypt. They spoke the *Egyptian language. They wore *Egyptian clothes. They probably felt like *Egyptians. So, it was probably a great surprise for them to
discover their real family. But Joseph wanted his sons to receive the benefit of God\rquote s promise too. So, Joseph brought them to Jacob.
\par Verse 3 Luz is another name for Bethel. Jacob was describing the event in Genesis 28:10-15.
\par Verse 4 God had chosen certain people to be his servants. God had promised many times that he would make those servants \lquote be *fruitful\rquote . And he would make them \lquote grow in number\rquote
. They would have many *descendants. And their *descendants would become a great nation. This was God\rquote s promise to Abraham and Isaac. God repeated this promise to Jacob at Bethel. And now Jacob\rquote
s *blessings would include *prophecies with a relationship to this promise. God also promised that Jacob\rquote s *descendants would rule Canaan.
\par It was as if Jacob was passing out these promises to his sons. Jacob would soon die. But Jacob\rquote s sons would receive the benefit of these promises.
\par Verse 5 Jacob chose a special way to show that Ephraim and Manasseh belonged to his family. Jacob adopted them. The *descendants of all Jacob\rquote s
sons became *tribes. For example, there were a *tribe of Reuben and a *tribe of Simeon. And there were also a *tribe of Ephraim and a *tribe of Manasseh. Everybody knew that they belonged with Jacob\rquote
s *descendants. This was because Jacob adopted Ephraim and Manasseh.
\par Although Manasseh was the oldest son, Jacob mentioned Ephraim first here. Again, God especially *blessed the younger son. God had *blessed Joseph similarly, although his brothers were older than him.
\par Verse 6 Any other sons of Joseph would be part of the *tribes called Ephraim and Manasseh. And they would share the land of those *tribes.
\par Verses 8-9 The words that Israel used here may have been special words. People often used such words when they adopted children. But perhaps Israel (Jacob) was making sure whom he would soon *bless. He probably remembered how he had made Isaac *bless him.
\par Verse 10 Some Bible students say that this was actually a ceremony. When people were adopting children, they kissed those children. And they hugged the children
. It was part of that event. In any case, it was natural that a grandfather would do that. He was very eager to love Joseph\rquote s sons.
\par Verse 11 Israel (Jacob) and Joseph both knew that God had *blessed them.
\par Verse 12 We are not sure exactly where the grandsons were. They would not have been on Israel\rquote s knees. They were both over 17 years old. Maybe they went near Israel\rquote
s knees because he was taking them into his family. It may have been part of that event. Look at Genesis 30:3. There, Rachel offered her maid to Jacob. In the *Hebrew Bible, she did it so that \lquote
she can have babies upon my knees. And even I can have children by means of her.\rquote In Egypt, Joseph was a more important man than Israel (Jacob) was. Joseph *bowed low because Israel (Jacob) was old. And I
srael (Jacob) was dying. And Israel (Jacob) was his father. Joseph showed honour to Israel (Jacob) for those reasons. And Joseph also showed Israel (Jacob) honour because Israel (Jacob) was a holy man. Soon, like a priest, Israel (Jacob) would *bless his
family. And he would give a *prophecy from God.
\par Verses 13-14 Israel (Jacob) clearly knew which son was which. He did not make a mistake. As he gave his *blessing, he was trusting God to guide him (Hebrews 11:21).
\par Verses 15-16 When Israel (Jacob) had *blessed Joseph\rquote s sons, he *blessed Joseph. Israel (Jacob) cared more about God\rquote s honour than he cared about his family\rquote s happiness. He emphasised that God was really giving the *blessing.
\par Verses 17-19 Joseph wanted Manasseh to receive a greater *blessing. So, Joseph thought that his father had made a mistake. But there was no mistake. Israel (Jacob) knew what God wanted him to do.
\par Verse 20 \lquote Israel will use your names to *bless people.\rquote In this sentence, \lquote Israel\rquote means \lquote *Israelites\rquote . But in other places here, it means Jacob.
\par Verse 21 Israel (Jacob) had not forgotten the country that God had promised to him. He had been away from it for 17 years. But he had not forgotten it. He wanted to remind his family that they should return there.
\par Verse 22 Joseph had the *birthright. Usually, the oldest son in the family received the *birthright. But Reuben lost this right because of his evil behaviour.
\par The son with the *birthright received a double share of his father\rquote s possessions. Of course, Joseph was very wealthy. He needed
nothing more from his father. So, his father gave him some land in Canaan. It seems that this is the land in Genesis 33:19-20. (See also John 4:5.) This was a special place where Jacob built an *altar. So, this gift would remind Joseph to pray. And it wo
uld also remind Joseph that, in the future, his *descendants would return to Canaan.
\par Chapter 33 says that Jacob bought this land. But this chapter says that he fought for it. We do not know when he fought such a battle. Maybe he had to fight in order to protect his family after his sons attacked Shechem.
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\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob\rquote s *blessing for his family
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\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 After Jacob *blessed Joseph\rquote s sons, Jacob *blessed his own sons.
\par In fact, Jacob did not give a *blessing to all 12 sons. Reuben, Simeon and Levi deserved no *blessing because of their evil deeds.
\par But God still gave Jacob a *prophecy about each son. All the sons belonged to Jacob\rquote s family. And all the sons received the benefit of God\rquote s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God would make the *descendants of all the s
ons into a great nation. The *descendants of each son would become a *tribe in that nation. God would give them the country called Canaan.
\par And God would use them to *bless people from all the nations. Among them, Eve\rquote s special *descendant (Genesis 3:15) would be born. That *descendant would free people from *sin and from the devil\rquote s power. God\rquote
s promises to Abraham were also promises to that *descendant (Galatians 3:16). And that *descendant would be the real king of Israel (Genesis 49:10). The Bible tells us that these promises were about Jesus. He was that special *descendant.
\par This is a very difficult chapter to translate. Some phrases have many possible meanings. We have tried to explain the probable meaning. But different Bible students have other ideas about some verses.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Jacob called his sons. And he said,
\lquote Come together, all you sons. Then I will tell you what will happen in the future time.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Come together and listen, sons of Jacob. Listen to Israel, your father.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 1-2 This was a *prophecy about the future. Of course, Jacob could not speak about the future by his own knowledge. God showed him what to say. That is how he was able to speak such things.
\par Jacob often referred to past events as he spoke. But he was using these events as a way to explain what would happen in the future. He also used the names of some sons in a special way. The meanings of their names also helped to explain future events.
\par These *prophecies would not happen during the lives of Jacob\rquote s sons. Instead, the *prophecies were about the *descendants of Jacob\rquote s sons. These *descendants became the 12 *tribes of Israel. The *descendants of each son became a *
tribe. The *prophecies were about the regions that each *tribe would receive in Canaan. And, they were about the work that each *tribe would do. And, sometimes, they were about that *tribe\rquote s troubles.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 3-4 Reuben
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote Reuben, you were my first son.
\par And the first son is the first evidence of his father\rquote s strength and greatness.
\par That son should have the greatest honour.
\par That son should have the greatest power.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But you are as weak as water.
\par You will certainly not be the leader
\par because you entered into your father\rquote s bed.
\par You caused me shame.
\par Reuben had sex with my *concubine.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 3-4 People thought that the first son should become the head of the family after his father\rquote s death. So, Jacob had great hopes for Reuben. But Reuben disappointed Jacob when
Reuben had sex with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). (Bilhah was Jacob\rquote s *concubine.) So, Jacob decided to give the *birthright to Joseph instead of Reuben (1 Chronicles 5:1-2).
\par Reuben\rquote s *descendants became the *tribe of Reuben. The *tribe of Reuben was never an important *tribe.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 5-7 Simeon and Levi
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
Simeon and Levi are brothers who act together.
\par They are very cruel when they use their swords.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Their plans would ruin my character.
\par If I joined in with them, I would deserve no honour.
\par They killed men when they were angry.
\par They hurt a strong animal so that it could not walk.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Their anger was very fierce.
\par Such anger deserves punishment.
\par Their anger was very cruel.
\par Such cruelty deserves punishment.
\par So, I shall order them not to live together.
\par I shall make them scatter in Israel.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 5-7 Jacob was referring to the events in chapter 34. Jacob thought that the behaviour of Simeon and Levi was terrible. Simeon and Levi did not respect God. They had been angry. So, they used the *covenant that t
he family had made with God. They used it in order to kill their enemies.
\par Jacob said that they should not live together. This was a *prophecy. Each *tribe of Israel received its own land in Canaan. But the *tribes of Simeon and Levi were different.
\par The *tribe of Simeon was small. So, it did not receive its own region in Canaan. Instead, the *tribe of Simeon received part of the land that belonged to the *tribe of Judah (Joshua 19:1-9).
\par The *tribe of Levi became very important. Moses belonged to this *tribe.
And God appointed families from this *tribe to become the priests. Because they were priests, they were responsible for all the people in Israel. So, the *tribe of Levi could not receive its own region. Instead, the people from this *tribe received their
own towns. These towns were in every region in Canaan (Joshua chapter 21). So, people from the *tribe of Levi were available to help people from all the *tribes to *worship God.
\par So, the things that Jacob said actually happened. They were *prophecies from God. But these things did not always happen in the way that people might expect.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 8-12 Judah
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote Judah, your name means \'93praise\'94.
\par And your brothers will praise you.
\par You will overcome your enemies.
\par You will be like a man who puts his hand on the neck of his enemy.
\par Your father\rquote s sons will *bow to give you honour.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 You are like a young lion, Judah, my son.
\par The lion returns home after it has hunted for food.
\par The lion lies down to rest.
\par Nobody dares to wake a female lion.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Judah is the ruler.
\par Judah has the *sceptre.
\par And Judah\rquote s family will keep the stick that shows royal authority.
\par They will keep it until its real owner comes.
\par And all the nations will obey him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 He takes his *donkey to carry the fruit from a *vine.
\par He puts his young *donkey by the best *vine.
\par There is so much wine that he could use it to wash his clothes.
\par There is so much fruit that the juice could wash his coat.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 His eyes are darker than *wine.
\par His teeth are whiter than milk.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 8-9 The *tribe of Judah became a very large *tribe. And it became very important. Even before there were kings in Israel, men from the *tribe of Judah led Israel\rquote s army into battle. (See Judges 20:18.)
\par Jacob said in his *prophecy that the *tribe of Judah would overcome its enemies. Lions are very strong animals. And the men from Judah\rquote s *tribe would be strong in battle. Someone cannot put his hand on his enemy\rquote
s neck until that person has completely defeated his enemy.
\par Verse 10 Jacob was saying that the kings of Israel would come from Judah\rquote
s *descendants. David and Solomon came from the *tribe of Judah. They were the greatest kings of Israel. And their *descendants ruled as kings for many centuries. But the other *tribes did not remain loyal to David\rquote s family.
\par In the end, God\rquote s plan is that the \lquote real owner\rquote will be king. This means Jesus, who is the king of kings (Revelation 19:16). As the real king of Israel, Jesus owns the objects that show royal authority. He is the king of Isra
el, but he is also the king of every nation.
\par Jesus deserves to rule the nations because he is God. With God the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus created everything that exists (John 1:1-3).
\par Jesus also deserves to rule because he is Eve\rquote s special *descendant. God promised that Eve\rquote s special *descendant would free people from the power of *sin and the devil (Genesis 3:15). Jesus achieved this by his death for us.
\par Jesus also deserves to rule because he is David\rquote s *descendant. And Jesus belongs to the *tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
\par And, because Jesus will rule, God will *bless the people from all nations (Revelation 22:2-3). If we confess our *sins, God forgives us because of Jesus. And we shall rule with him, because we belong to his royal family (1 Peter 2
:9). This is a wonderful promise to everyone who trusts Jesus. We do not deserve these things. And we cannot earn them by our own efforts. But God said that he would *bless people from every nation by means of Abraham\rquote
s special *descendant (Genesis 12:3). And that special *descendant is Jesus (Galatians 3:16).
\par Verses 11-12 These verses do not seem to describe Judah himself, who was a *shepherd. The verses probably describe the land in Canaan that the *tribe of Judah would receive. So, \lquote he\rquote means someone from the *tribe of Judah.
\par Jacob described a place where the land was very good. People would plant fruit bushes. And the fruit harvest would be plentiful. A farmer would need a *donkey to carry the fruit from one bush. (See Numbers 13:23.) There would even be
enough wine to wash clothes in it! People did not really wash clothes in wine. Usually, wine was much too precious to waste.
\par Verse 12 describes someone who is strong and healthy. That person is healthy because his food is good. His food is good because the land is good. So, the *tribe of Judah would receive good land.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 13 Zebulun
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote Zebulun\rquote
s home will be by the sea shore.
\par In that place, there will be a shelter for ships.
\par The border of Zebulun\rquote s land will be near Sidon.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 13 Jacob was saying that trade would be important to the *tribe of Zebulun. This tribe\rquote
s land included part of the shore of the sea called Galilee. But the land did not include the city called Sidon. And it did not include the shore of the great sea, called the Mediterranean. But perhaps the men from this *tribe traded in these places also.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 14-15 Issachar
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
I shall describe Issachar as a strong *donkey.
\par The *donkey lies between the two sacks that it must carry.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 The *donkey knows when it has found a good place to rest.
\par The *donkey can recognise land that is pleasant.
\par So, it chooses to lift its heavy weights.
\par It agrees to work like a slave.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 14-15 Men from the *tribe of Issachar would become farmers. Their land would be very good. And, like the *donkey, they would work very hard.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 16-18 Dan
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Dan will become the judge who defends his people among the *tribes of Israel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Dan will be like a snake by a road.
\par And a snake will bite the ankles of a horse.
\par When the horse feels the pain, its rider will fall.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 I am waiting for you to save me, *Lord.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 16 Dan\rquote s name means \'93judgement\'94
. These words are not a description of a modern judge, who merely makes decisions. Jacob was saying that God would use Dan (or the *tribe of Dan) to fight for his people. Samson did this, and he came from the *tribe of Dan (Judges 13:2).
\par Verses 17-18 A snake may be small. But it can fight a much larger animal. And the snake will win.
\par So, God would use the *tribe of Dan to defeat enemies that seemed very powerful. The *tribe of Dan would succeed because God was using it to save his people.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 19 Gad
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
A group of guards will gather to get Gad\rquote s goods (possessions)!
\par But Gad will go back to get their goods!\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 19 Jacob repeats the same letters often in his *prophecy about Gad. Our translation also does this (with the letters \lquote g\rquote and 'd'). This is a style of poetry.
\par Many enemies attacked the *tribe of Gad. These enemies belonged to the nations called Ammon, Moab and Aram. The people from Gad fought them successfully.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 20 Asher
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote Asher will enjoy rich food.
\par He will produce food for the king to eat.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
Verse 20 The *tribe of Asher received good land. When Solomon became the King of Israel, the *tribe of Asher provided food for the palace. Each year, they provided the food that the palace used in one month. You can read a list of the food that the *tri
be provided in 1 Kings 4:22-28.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 21 Naphtali
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
I compare Naphtali to a graceful *deer (wild animal) that is free.
\par That deer gives birth to beautiful young animals.
\par And so, Naphtali will speak beautiful words.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 21 This verse seems to refer to the battle that Barak fought. Barak came from the *tribe of Naphtali (Judges 4:6). And the beautiful words may refer to the poem in Judges chapter 5.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 22-26 Joseph
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote
Joseph is like a *vine that produces plentiful fruit.
\par That vine grows near to the water.
\par It is in a garden and its branches grow over the wall.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s enemies were angry.
\par They hated him.
\par They shot their arrows at him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 But Joseph held his bow firmly.
\par His arms were strong because God supported him.
\par God is Jacob\rquote s strong helper.
\par God looks after his people as a *shepherd looks after sheep.
\par God is Israel\rquote s security.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 And, Joseph, your father\rquote s God will help you.
\par God is your provider and he will *bless you.
\par So, God will give you *blessings from *heaven above.
\par And God will give you *blessings from the deepest places below.
\par He will give *blessings to your children.
\par And he will give *blessings to the mothers in your *tribe.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph, these *blessings are greater than the *blessings that my father and grandfather gave to their sons.
\par These *blessings are great, like the greatness of the ancient hills.
\par And I give all these *blessings to Joseph.
\par They shall be like a crown for his head.
\par He is the prince among his brothers.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 22 This verse is like Psalm 1:2-3. The
se are descriptions of a *righteous person. Such a person does whatever God wants that person to do. Other people might think that a *righteous person is foolish. But the Bible teaches that only *righteous people are really successful. And *righteous peop
le are successful whether they are rich or poor. Joseph was a *righteous man. And so, Joseph\rquote
s life did not just benefit Joseph himself. In fact, God *blessed *Pharaoh because of Joseph. God saved the lives of the *Egyptians during the *famine because of Joseph. And God helped Joseph\rquote s own family, because of Joseph.
\par Verses 23-24 Joseph had many troubles during his life. But God protected Joseph. And God made Joseph able to overcome his (Joseph\rquote s) problems.
\par Jacob described Joseph\rquote s problems as if Joseph was a soldier in a battle. Joseph was not actually a soldier. This is just a description.
\par Verses 25-26 Joseph received a special *blessing because he had the *birthright. Jacob said that God would give many good things to Joseph. God had been very kind to Abrah
am, Isaac and Jacob. But the good things that God would give his people had not ended. In fact, the opposite was true. God would do even greater things for Joseph\rquote s *descendants.
\par The son who had the *birthright used to receive a double share of his father\rquote s possessions. The *descendants of each son of Jacob became a *tribe. But Joseph\rquote
s *descendants became two *tribes: Ephraim and Manasseh. And they were both large *tribes.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 27 Benjamin
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v27}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \lquote Benjamin is like a greedy *wolf.
\par In the morning, the *wolf eats whatever it has hunted.
\par In the evening, the *wolf tears apart the animals that it has taken.\rquote
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 27 People from the *tribe of Benjamin would have a tendency to fight. In Judges chapter 20, this attitude caused a terrible war between the *tribe of Ben
jamin and the other *tribes. The *tribe of Benjamin refused to hand over criminals for punishment. Instead, the *tribe of Benjamin decided to fight.
\par The men from the *tribe of Benjamin were brave soldiers. But they still lost the battle. Nearly everyone from the *tribe of Benjamin died. Only 600 men from the *tribe of Benjamin escaped.
\par Many years afterwards, the first king of Israel, called Saul, came from the *tribe of Benjamin. Saul became a cruel king.
\par Paul too belonged to the *tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5). Paul had this tendency too, but he used it in a good way. He was brave. And he was not afraid to suffer (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verses 28-33 Jacob\rquote s final orders
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v28}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 All those are Israel\rquote
s 12 *tribes. That is what their father said to them. He said it when he *blessed them. He *blessed each son with the *blessing that was right for that son.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v29}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Israel gave these orders to his sons. He said, \lquote
God will soon gather me to my people. Bury me with my fathers in the cave. It is in the field of Ephron the *Hittite. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v30}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
That cave is in the field at Machpelah. It is east from Mamre, in the country called Canaan. Abraham bought the field from Ephron the *Hittite. So then Abraham had a place to bury people. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v31}{
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 There people buried Abraham and his wife Sarah. There they buried Isaac and his wife Rebekah. I buried Leah there. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v32}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Abraham bought that field and he bought the cave in it. He bought them from Heth\rquote s family.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v33}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob (Israel) gave those orders to his sons. When he had finished, he pulled his feet up onto the bed. He breathed his last breath and he died.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 28 This is the first time in Genesis when the writer writes about \lquote Israel\rquote s 12 *tribes\rquote .
\par Verse 29 Jacob told his sons that he was dying. He said, \lquote God will soon gather me to my people.\rquote
Maybe he used these words to show that there is life after death. We do not know whether he did. Jacob may have meant only that his body would be with his dead relatives (verses 30-32). Jacob insisted that his sons should bury him in Canaan. Canaan was t
he country that God had promised to them. The sons needed to remember that. Their *descendants would not always remain in Egypt.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Chapter 50
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s2\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel1\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs28\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs28\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob and Joseph die
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s23\qj \li142\ri140\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrt\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrl\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \brdrb\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp20 \brdrr\brdrs\brdrw10\brsp80 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin140\lin142\itap0
\rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v1}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then Joseph bent over his father\rquote
s face. He wept and he kissed his father. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v2}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had some
servants that were doctors. He ordered them to *preserve his father. So the doctors *preserved Israel. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v3}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
They worked for 40 days. It takes 40 days to *preserve a body. The *Egyptians wept about Israel for 70 days.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v4}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Then the days when the *Egyptians wept were over. Joseph then spoke to *Pharaoh\rquote s family. He said, \lquote
Please do this kind thing for me and speak to *Pharaoh. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v5}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Please tell him that my father made me declare a very serious promise. Israel said to me, \'93
I will soon die. Bury me in the grave that I bought for myself. I bought it in the country called Canaan. Bury me there!\'94 Please ask *Pharaoh if I can go to bury my father. Then I will come back.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v6}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 *Pharaoh replied, \lquote Go up and bury your father. Do it exactly as you promised to him.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v7}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph went up to bury his father. And all *Pharaoh\rquote
s servants went with him. So did the older men in his own family, who had authority in the family. So did all the older men that had authority in the country called Egypt. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v8}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers and Israel\rquote s family went up too, as well as Joseph\rquote s family. They left only their children behind them (in Goshen). Their *flocks and *herds stayed in the region called Goshen. }{
\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v9}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph had with him *chariots and also horsemen. It was a very large group.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v10}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph
and his group came to a flat, open place where people separated the grains from corn. It was at Atad. That was in the country called Canaan, beyond the Jordan River. Then Joseph and his group cried. They cried for a very long time and they cried with deep
emotion. Joseph arranged a special occasion when people could cry about his father. They cried for 7 days. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v11}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
The *Canaanites that were living in the area saw it. They saw how Joseph\rquote s group cried there. That was at Atad. It was in the place where people separate the grains from corn. The *Canaanites said, \lquote The *Egyptians are very sad about this.
\rquote So the place was called Abel-Mizraim. It is beyond the Jordan River.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v12}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Israel\rquote s sons did as he had ordered them. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v13}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 His sons carried him to the country cal
led Canaan. They buried him in the cave in the field. The field is at Machpelah, east from Mamre. It is the field that Abraham bought from Ephron the *Hittite. Abraham bought it as a place to bury people. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v14}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph went back to Egypt after he had buried his father. Joseph\rquote
s brothers also went back to Egypt. And many other people had gone up with him to bury his father. They all went back to Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v15}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers saw that their father was then dead. They thought that Joseph might hate them. And he mi
ght punish the brothers for all the evil things that they had done to him. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v16}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
So they sent a person to take a message to Joseph. The person told this message to him: \lquote Before your father died, he ordered us to talk to you. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v17}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Your father said, \'93Say this to Joseph. Say that he should forgive his brothers for the evil, wrong things that they did to him. Joseph should forgive them for the bad things that they did.\'94
Now please, we desperately ask you to forgive us for our *sins. We are the servants of your father\rquote s God.\rquote Joseph wept when that person told that message to him.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v18}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph\rquote s brothers themselves came and they *bowed down low in front of him. They said, \lquote Look! We are your servants.\rquote
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v19}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to them, \lquote Do not be afraid. I am not God. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v20}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 You certainly meant to do an evil thing to me, but God meant it for a good purpose. So, because of that, many people are alive until today. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v21}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Do not be afraid. I will take care of you. And I will take care of your little children.\rquote In that way, Joseph helped them not to be afraid any longer. So they became calm. He comforted them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v22}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph lived in Egypt. His father\rquote s family lived there too. Joseph lived for 110 years. }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\insrsid16530303 v23}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph saw Ephraim\rquote s grandchildren. Manasseh\rquote s son Machir also had children, whom Joseph took into his own family.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v24}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Joseph said to his brothers, \lquote
I am dying. God will come to you. And he will take you up out of this country. He will lead you to the country that he promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.\rquote }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v25}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 Joseph then made Israel\rquote s sons promise something very seriously to him (Joseph). Joseph ordered them to do this thing. He said that God would come to the family and then they must carry up his bones out of Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 v26}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 So Joseph died when he was 110 years old. People *preserved him. And they put him in a coffin (big box to bury people in). The coffin was in Egypt.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Jacob had asked his sons to bury his body in Canaan. So, after Jacob\rquote s death, Joseph arranged for the funeral to be in Canaan.
\par It was not just Jacob\rquote s family who attended the funeral. Many *Egyptians came to the funeral too. This fact shows how many people respected Jacob. It took several days to travel from Egypt to Canaan. And it was a difficult journey.
\par After the funeral, Joseph\rquote s brothers became afraid of him again. They thought that he might be angry with them. They thought that he might punish them.
\par Joseph wept when he heard about their fears. He never wanted to be cruel to his brothers. He had forgiven them. He was sad that they did not seem to realise this. So, he explained that God placed him in Egypt in order to do God\rquote
s work. Their actions had been evil. But they could not prevent God from doing something good.
\par Joseph was an old man when he died. Before he died, he gave an instruction to his family. He did not want them
to bury his body in Egypt. Instead, he asked them to store his bones. At the right time, God would take their *descendants back to Canaan. (God promised this to Abraham in Genesis 15:13-16.) And Joseph wanted them to take his bones with them. Joseph show
ed by these instructions that he trusted God (Hebrews 11:22).
\par And the *descendants of Joseph\rquote s family did what he wanted (Exodus 13:19; Joshua 24:32).
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s3\ql \li0\ri0\sb180\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel2\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs24\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs24\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Notes on the verses
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Verse 1 There was special love between Joseph and Jacob. There were several reasons why such love existed between them. Joseph was the son of Rachel, Jacob\rquote
s favourite wife. Jacob and Rachel had waited for many years before Joseph was born. Jacob and Joseph were away from each other for many years. They had not thought that they would meet
each other again. But particularly, they felt this love because they both served God. So, they both had the same attitudes.
\par Joseph was a very important person in Egypt. So, when his father was dying, Joseph would be the chief person by his father\rquote s bed. God had promised that Joseph would close Jacob\rquote s eyes when Jacob died (Genesis 46:4).
\par Verse 2 *Egyptians used to *preserve dead bodies. This was a special ceremony in their religion. So, usually, their priests did this task. But Joseph and Jacob did not belo
ng to the ancient *Egyptian religion. Instead, they served the real God. So, Joseph arranged for doctors (instead of priests) to *preserve Jacob\rquote s body.
\par Verse 3 \lquote 40 days\rquote may mean \lquote a long time\rquote in the *Old Testament. However, it may actually mean 40 days here, because the writer mentions other such times also. People were usually sad for dead kings for 72 days. Jacob\rquote
s family considered him very important. The *Egyptians, too, considered him important, because he was Joseph\rquote s father.
\par Verse 4 Joseph did not go to *Pharaoh himself. Probably, people did not usually go to a king while they were sad. It was probably not right to do that. Jacob wanted his family to bury him in Canaan because of God\rquote
s promises. But Joseph did not mention that reason. Perhaps he tho
ught that it might not be polite to the people in Egypt. Joseph talked about the matter gently. He also spoke about a grave that Jacob had made for himself. Joseph did not mention that the graves of Jacob\rquote
s relatives were in the same place. Some translations have \lquote the grave that I cut (out of the rock)\rquote .
\par Verse 5 Joseph promised to return to Egypt.
\par Verse 7 All *Pharaoh\rquote s *Egyptian servants went with Joseph. In that way, they showed great honour towards Joseph and Jacob. Perhaps the *Egyptians also wanted to be sure that Joseph would come back to Egypt.
\par Jacob\rquote s funeral was a very great occasion.
\par Verse 9 The *descendants of people that went to the funeral would follow the *Israelites later. They chased the *Israelites when the *Israelites left Egypt for Canaan. But then, at that later time, the *Egyptians and the *Israelites were enemies.
\par Verse 10 We are not sure where this place was. It was usual to cry and be sad for 7 days. To separate the grains from the corn, people beat the corn. Each farmer chose a special area with flat ground for this task.
\par Verse 11 People could see that Joseph\rquote s group were very sad. And people coul
d hear it. The group made a noise and they probably tore their clothes. Probably, they threw ashes over their bodies and they shaved their hair. And they cried loudly. The name Abel-Mizraim meant that the *Egyptians were very sad there.
\par Verse 13 It seems that only Jacob\rquote s family went further to his burial. (A burial is when people bury a dead person in the ground.) The *Egyptians stayed at Abel-Mizraim. Families usually buried their dead relatives in private.
\par Verse 14 Joseph did as he had promised to *Pharaoh. He returned to Egypt. Actually, many people went back together to Egypt. But Joseph was the most important person.
\par Verse 15 \lquote Saw\rquote here means knew. The brothers were afraid. They thought that maybe Joseph would not still be friendly to them. Perhaps he was kind in the past only because he loved his father. So, Joseph\rquote
s brothers were afraid that he might now punish them. He was very powerful.
\par Verses 16-17 The writer does not tell us whether Jacob really told the brothers to say those things. The brothers
had done bad things to Joseph. But we do not know whether Jacob ever knew that. Jacob would have wanted the family to be friendly, because God had promised great things for their future.
\par Maybe the brothers had not asked Joseph to forgive them before. If they had, we do not know it. But now, they asked him clearly to forgive them. They even offered to become his slaves.
\par Their message upset Joseph. He had already forgiven them. But it seems that they still did not realise this fact.
\par Their attitude was like ma
ny people today. God wants to forgive us because he is kind. He sent Jesus to die for us. Because of Jesus, God will forgive us if we humbly confess our evil deeds to him. Then, if we invite God into our lives, we become friends of God. But many people th
ink that they must earn this by their own efforts. They are wrong. God forgives us as a free gift. God makes us his friends because he loves us.
\par Verses 19-20 Although Joseph had a lot of wealth and power, he had not become proud and unkind. He knew that God is the judge over everyone. He knew that God is always good. And God is powerful. Our evil deeds cannot stop God\rquote
s plans to do good things. God had a plan to use Joseph. And God\rquote s plan succeeded. He used Joseph to save people\rquote s lives.
\par Verse 21 Joseph promised to provide for his brothers\rquote families. They would be safe then. And they would continue to be safe during his whole life.
\par Verse 22 Joseph lived until he was very old.
\par Verse 23 In the *Hebrew of this verse, it is not clear whether the children were Ephraim\rquote s grandchildren or Joseph\rquote s grandchildren. Joseph adopted Manasseh\rquote s grandchildren.
\par Verse 24 Joseph believed God\rquote s promise that God would give the country called Canaan to the *Israelites. It is unlikely that many of Joseph\rquote s actual brothers were sti
ll alive. The verse probably means that he spoke these words to his brothers\rquote families.
\par Verse 25 \lquote Israel\rquote s sons\rquote probably means Jacob\rquote s grandsons, grandsons\rquote sons, and other *descendants. All Joseph\rquote s brothers were older than he was, except Benjamin. Josep
h used this promise to remind his family that he trusted God. And Joseph wanted them to trust God too.
\par Verse 26 Usually, the *Israelites buried bodies soon after death. But Joseph wanted the *Israelites to remember God\rquote s promises. So, he told them not to b
ury his body. Instead, he told them to put it in a coffin. (A coffin is a big box that someone has made out of wood. People place dead bodies in it.) Whenever the *Israelites saw that coffin, they remembered God\rquote
s promise to them. God had promised that they would live in Canaan. It took several centuries before their *descendants arrived in Canaan. But, in the end, God did for them what he had promised. And, at last, they buried Joseph\rquote
s bones in the country that God promised to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Word List
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 adultery }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when a married person has sex with someone that is not the person\rquote s husband or wife.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 almighty }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when someone has enough power to defeat all his enemies; the Person who is better than everyone else; the *Lord over everything; the Person w
ho has power over everything.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 almond }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of tree with pink flowers; a nut that this tree produces.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 altar }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a table that people made out of stone or metal. People burned gifts to God (*sacrifices) on it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Amorites }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a group of people that lived in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 ancestor }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a relative that lived a long time ago. A person\rquote s parents are *descendants of such a relative.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 angels }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ God\rquote s servants from *heaven, who sometimes bring God\rquote s messages to people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 ark }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the big boat that Noah built; or a box that someone has made out of wood.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 arrow }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a stick with a point on it. People shoot it from a bow.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 backward }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when people go in the direction where their back is; the opposite direction to forward.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 balm }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ an oily, sticky substance from a tree. It smells good. People used it to cure troubles in people\rquote
s skin. And they used it to make the skin feel comfortable.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 barren }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a description of a married woman who has no children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 birthright }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the oldest son had th
e birthright in the *Old Testament. He would be the leader of his family when his father died. And he would get a double share of the things that had belonged to his father. Sometimes in the Book of Genesis, a younger son actually received the birthright.
Each time, there were special reasons why the birthright did not belong to the oldest son.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 bless }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to give someone a *blessing; or to be kind to someone; or to do good things for someone; or to promise good things to someone.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 blessing }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a good thing that G
od does for us; or when we ask God to help a person; or when we ask God to do something good in that person. In the Book of Genesis, blessings were often a type of *prophecy.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 bony }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ so thin that people can see where the bones are, under the skin.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 bow }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to bend one\rquote s body over to respect someone else. To bow one\rquote s head means to bend one\rquote s head forward.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 bracelets }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ large rings that women put round their arms to make them beautiful.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 buds }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ they grow on a plant or tree. Then they open out and they become flowers (or leaves).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 burnt offering }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ something that someone burns as a gift in order to please God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 butler }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a male servant that serves wine in a *household. And maybe he arranges the table and he does other such things there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Canaanites }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ people that were livi
ng in Canaan, the country that God had promised to the *Israelites. The Canaanites were already living in that country before the *Israelites went there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 cattle }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ animals that people look after in order to get milk or meat from them. They include cows.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 chariot }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of car that horses pulled. Soldiers could ride in it when they fought. Or important people could ride in it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 cherubim }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ special *angels that live with God in *heaven.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 circumcise }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to cut off the loose skin from the end of a boy\rquote s or man\rquote s sex part.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 circumcision }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when someone cuts off the loose skin from the end of the male sex part; something that specially reminds people about God\rquote
s agreement with Israel. For *Israelites, it was a proof that a man agreed to obey God\rquote s laws. Or it might show that a person had a good, innocent spirit.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 clay }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of earth. When it is dry, it is heavy and firm. When it is wet, it is stiff but also fairly soft.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 clean }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a clean animal was an animal that God allowed the *Jews to eat.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 cloak }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a large piece of warm cloth. People wore it on top of other clothes. And they used it as a blanket at night.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 concubine }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a woman that lives with a man but she is not his wife; or people do not know her as his wife.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 confirm }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ say something again so that people will certainly believe it.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 covenant }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ an agreement between two or more people, in which they all have responsibilities; such an agreement between God and a person (or people).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 creation }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when God made the world; and when he made everything that exists; everything that God has made.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 creatures }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ many things that live are creatures. They include all animals, insects and things that crawl. They do not include people, trees, plants or things similar to plants. God made all creatures.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 cubit }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a measurement that people used to measure length. It is equal to 18 inches (about 45 centimetres).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 curse }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ say that something bad will happen to a person or thing by God\rquote s (or a false god\rquote
s) power; when someone curses a person or thing; what someone says when they curse a person or thing. In the Book of Genesis, the word \lquote curse\rquote often means a *prophecy about future troubles.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 deer }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a graceful animal that can run fast. A male deer has two hard bony things like branches that grow on top of its head.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 descendant }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a child, grandchild, and so on; a person in your family who lives after you are dead.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 dew }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ water on the ground at night. It comes from the air.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 dome }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a roof with a round top. Here, it means a very big roof over the whole earth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 donkey }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ an animal like a small horse. It carries things or people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 dove }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of bird. People consider it a gentle bird.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 drunk }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a description of a person who has had too much alcohol. Such a person cannot think clearly. And that person does not behave in a sensible manner.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 ear (of corn) }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ in a corn plant, the part that contains the grains. It is at the top of the stem.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Edomites }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the *descendants of Jacob\rquote s brother Esau, who was also called Edom.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Egyptian }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person from the country called Egypt; when someone or something is from Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 faithful }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ loyal; when someone does what they promise.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 famine }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a time when plants for food do not grow, so people cannot eat food from them.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 feast }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a very big, special meal; a special time when people eat a lot and they drink a lot. People usually have a feast for a certain special reason.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 flesh }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the soft material that covers a person\rquote s bones.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 flock }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a large group of such animals as sheep.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 flute }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ something like a tube that has holes in it. People blow into it in order to make music.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 foreskin }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the loose skin at the end of a boy\rquote s or man\rquote s sex part.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 fruitful }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ fruitful land produces a lot of good crops. When a thing is fruitful, it produces many good results. When people are fruitful, they have many children.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 grape }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a small, sweet fruit that people make a drink (*wine) from.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 gum }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ a sticky substance from a kind of bush. When the substance comes out into the air, it becomes hard. From it, people used to make a powder that made things smell good.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 harp }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ something very large with very many strings. People pull the strings gently in order to make music.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 heaven }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the place that is God\rquote s home.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Hebrew }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the language that the *Jews spoke; someone from the nation that spoke the Hebrew language. The writer wrote Genesis in the Hebrew language.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 heel }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the back part of the foot.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 herd }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a large group of such animals as cows.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 herdsman }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a man that keeps cows and other animals safe.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Hittite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ someone from a group (*tribe) of people called the Hittites. They lived in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Hivite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ someone from a group (*tribe) of people called the Hivites. They lived in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 holy }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ what God is like; completely good, with nothing bad in it; separate from *sin; perfect and clean; when something belongs to God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Horite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ someone from a group (*tribe
) of people called the Horites. They lived in the country called Edom. The Horites were already living in that country before Esau (Edom) went to live there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 horn }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a hard bony thing that grows on top of some animals\rquote
heads, such as cows and some sheep. It is often like a stick that has a point on its end. Usually such an animal has two horns. The horns show that the animal is strong.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 household }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ your household means everyone that lives with you. They do not have to be your family.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 idol }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a false god that people made out of wood or stone or metal.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 inherit }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to receive something from someone that has died. That thing is a gift. God too gives gifts to us, but he has not died!
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Ishmaelite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a *descendant of Abraham\rquote s son Ishmael. (Ishmael\rquote s mother was the female servant Hagar.) Many Ishmaelites were traders.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Israelite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person from the nation called Israel; a *descendant of Jacob, who was also called Israel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Jew }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person that was born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children. People also use it to mean a person from the nation called Israel.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 judge }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to decide whether someone has done wrong things or right things; to punish people for wrong things that they have done.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 kid }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a very young goat.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 kingdom }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a place or country that a king rules over. (God is the greatest king. He is over all other kings. We are expecting his kingdom to come.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 lamb }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a very young sheep.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 lord }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a man that has complete authority over someone or something.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Lord }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ a special name for God. Sometimes it is the *Hebrew word YHWH. YHWH means that God is always God. Elsewhere, it is the *Hebrew word ADONAI, which means \lquote my master\rquote . People used these words to give honour to God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 lyre }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ something with strings that people can pull gently in order to make music.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 mandrake }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of plant. People thought that it would make them want to have sex.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 merciful }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when someone has *mercy or he or she shows *mercy.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 mercy }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ help to those that have lack or difficulty; the love that God shows when he forgives people; God\rquote s love and goodness; God\rquote
s pity towards all that he has made; when someone is kind to bad people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Midianite }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a *descendant of Abraham\rquote s son Midian. (Midian\rquote s mother was Keturah.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 myrrh }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a sticky substance from a plant.
People used it in order to make things smell good. Or they put it on dead bodies before they put them into a grave. Myrrh was one gift that the wise men gave to Jesus. They gave gifts to Jesus after he was born.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 New Testament }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the second part of the Bible, which the writers wrote after Jesus went back to *heaven.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 oak }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of tree whose leaves fall off in winter. People often considered an oak tree a *holy tree.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 oath }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a serious appeal to God; when a person makes a serious statement that he or she will
carry out a certain promise; a serious statement that something is true.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 offering }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a gift to please God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Old Testament }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the first part of the Bible, which the writers wrote before Jesus came; the *holy things that the writers wrote before Christ\rquote
s birth.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 olive }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a small fruit from which people make oil in order to cook food; the tree that this fruit comes from.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 overseer }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ an officer who tells people to do certain tasks. And he makes sure that they do those tasks.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 ox }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a big cow.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 oxen }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the plural of *ox.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 peel }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to take the thin outer cover off something (a branch, a fruit or a vegetable for example).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Perizzites }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a group (*tribe) of people that lived in the country called Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Pharaoh }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the king of Egypt.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Philistines }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a nation of people that lived in Canaan or near Canaan.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 pigeon }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of bird. Sometimes people have used it to carry messages to other people.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 plane }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of tree. Its leaves fall off in winter. It often has white or nearly white spots on its stem.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 pledge }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ a thing that a person gives to someone as a promise. It is a promise that the person will pay a certain price. When the person has paid the price, he or she can receive the thing (the pledge) back again.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 poplar }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a kind of tree, whose leaves fall off in winter. This particular kind of poplar had a white or nearly white colour.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 praise }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to say how great somebody is; words to express how great someone is.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 pregnant }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when a lady is expecting to have a baby.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 preserve }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to keep something in a good state, so that it does not go bad.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 prophecy }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ messages that God wants to tell or teach to people, often about future events.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 prophet }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person that hears God\rquote s messages. Then that person tells God\rquote s messages to other people. Some prophets wrote books in the Bible.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 prostitute }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a woman whom a man pays for sex.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 ram }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a male sheep.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 rape }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when a man forces a woman to have sex with him although she does not want to.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 redeem }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when someone pays the price to allow a person in prison to go free; to give money in order
to receive something or someone back; to bring back from a dangerous place; to give help in order to get someone out of a problem.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 religious }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when people do something in order to *worship God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 righteous }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ very good (only God is really righteous). God say
s that the people that love him are righteous. And those people obey him. Such people do whatever God wants them to do.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sacrifice }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ when someone puts an animal on an *altar in order to offer the animal to God; to give something valuable for someone or for
God; to die for someone or for God.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 Satan }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the devil. He is God\rquote s enemy.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sceptre }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a special stick that a king or queen holds. It shows that he or she has authority.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 seal }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a small hard object that has its owner\rquote s particular design or text. Its owner pres
ses it onto a thing in order to make a mark. The mark shows that the thing is genuine.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 shekel }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a way that people measured weight}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid12130043 , equal to 0.4 ounces (11 grams)}{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0
\insrsid16530303 . People also measured silver or gold in shekels for payment.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 shepherd }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person that looks after sheep.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sin }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to do bad things against God or other people; a bad thing that a person does against God or other people; when a person does a bad thing.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sinew }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a narrow piece of hard, thick skin that connects a bone to a muscle.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sinful }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ evil and wrong.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sinner }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ someone that *sins.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 speckle }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a small, slight mark on an animal, bird or egg. There are usually many speckles close to each other.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 spies }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ people that one country\rquote s government sends in order to discover secret information about another country.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 stew }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ food that people make from vegetables, meat or fish, which they cook slowly in water.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 steward }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a person that looks after another person\rquote s house or land.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sulphur }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a yellow material that burns things.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 sweat }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ to have water that comes out of the skin
. That can happen when someone is working hard with his or her body. Or it can happen when the weather is hot.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 tambourine }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ something that people use in order to make the rhythm in music. They can hit it. Or they can shake it. (That is, they can move it ve
ry fast many times from one side to another and back again.)
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 temple }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a building where people\~*worship God or a false god and\~they *praise him there.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 thigh }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ the upper part of a leg.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 thread }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a long, thin piece of material like cotton or wool. People use it to make cloth. And they use it to sew with.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 tower }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a tall, narrow building.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 tribe }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a family (and *descendants) from the same father; the whole family (and *descendants) from one of Jacob\rquote s 12 sons.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 trough }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a long narrow container from which animals can drink water (or they can eat food from it).
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 twin }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ someone that was born about the same time as a brother or sister; twins are two children that were born together from the same mother.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 unclean }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ an unclean animal was an animal that God did not allow the *Jews to eat.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 veil }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a piece of material that covers a woman\rquote s face.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 vine }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a plant that climbs. Its fruits are called *grapes. People use them to make *wine.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 vision }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a dream; sometimes a dream that comes to a person that is awake.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 wax }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a white or nearly white substance that is not very hard. An insect called a \lquote bee\rquote
makes it. People can use it to fasten things. People also use it to make candles. They burn candles to give light.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 wine }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a drink that contains alcohol. People make it from small, sweet fruit called grapes. People can use it as medicine.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 wolf }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a wild animal like a large dog.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 worship }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
~ to show very great honour to God; to show that we respect him very much; to *praise God and to serve him; to tell God that we love him very much.
\par }{\rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \b\insrsid16530303 yeast }{\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 ~ a sub
stance that makes bread rise. People include the yeast in the mixture for the bread. The yeast makes the mixture rise before people bake the bread. Then the bread continues to rise while people are baking it.
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s1\ql \li0\ri0\sb240\sa60\keep\keepn\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\outlinelevel0\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \ab\af1\afs36\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\b\f1\fs36\lang2057\langfe1033\kerning28\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 Book List
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s22\qj \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs22\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \f1\fs22\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 John Calvin ~ Commentary on Genesis ~ Eerdmans
\par Rev. Stephen Dray ~ Genesis \endash Lecture notes (unpublished)
\par Victor P. Hamilton ~ The Book of Genesis (2 volumes) ~ New International Commentary on the Old Testament ~ Eerdmans
\par Matthew Henry ~ Commentary on the Whole Bible ~ Marshall Morgan and Scott
\par Rev. Derek Kidner ~ Genesis ~ Tyndale
\par C. H. Spurgeon ~ Treasury of the Old Testament ~ Marshall Morgan and Scott
\par Gordon J. Wenham ~ Genesis (2 volumes) ~ Word Biblical Commentary ~ Word
\par Bibles ~ RSV, NIV, International Children\rquote s Bible, Bible for the Deaf
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s30\ql \li0\ri0\sa120\keep\nowidctlpar\brdrb\brdrs\brdrw60\brsp20\brdrcf11 \wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af1\afs12\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0
\strike\f1\fs12\cf11\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af1 \ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303
\par }\pard\plain \ltrpar\s31\ql \li0\ri0\sb60\sa60\keep\nowidctlpar\wrapdefault\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \rtlch\fcs1 \af0\afs20\alang1025 \ltrch\fcs0 \fs20\lang2057\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp2057\langfenp1033 {\rtlch\fcs1 \af0
\ltrch\fcs0 \insrsid16530303 \'a9 2006, Wycliffe Associates (UK)
\par This publication is written in EasyEnglish Level B (2800 words).
\par May 2006
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